as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery
that judge is known for being venal and easily bought
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of venal
The risk of instability and military takeover extends beyond the Sahel to other African countries where the West has tolerated venal and autocratic rule.
—
Joseph Sany, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024
But Safdie eschews the sleazy reality TV producer stereotype, creating a man who is both pitiful and venal.
—EW.com, 6 Nov. 2023
And who can blame him, given the appalling backstory of the Atherton-Yoo family, compared with the merely venal sins of Scorsese’s fraudster?
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023
Under the state propaganda campaign, the Kremlin has maintained high support for Putin and for the war in Ukraine that now defines his presidency, portraying the conflict as a battle for Russia’s survival against a venal West determined to dismember the country and gobble up its resources.
—Natalia Abbakumova, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for venal 
Joseph Sany, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024
But Safdie eschews the sleazy reality TV producer stereotype, creating a man who is both pitiful and venal.
—EW.com, 6 Nov. 2023
And who can blame him, given the appalling backstory of the Atherton-Yoo family, compared with the merely venal sins of Scorsese’s fraudster?
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023
Under the state propaganda campaign, the Kremlin has maintained high support for Putin and for the war in Ukraine that now defines his presidency, portraying the conflict as a battle for Russia’s survival against a venal West determined to dismember the country and gobble up its resources.
—Natalia Abbakumova, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for venal
Thesaurus Entries Near venal
Cite this Entry
“Venal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venal. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share