as in corruptible
open to improper influence and especially bribery
that judge is known for being venal and easily bought
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Recent Examples of venal
Hackett, his bungalow neighbor Faye Greener (Karen Black), her vaudevillian has-been father (Burgess Meredith), assorted whores, hangers-on, venal studio executives, and a WASPy lunk — auspiciously named Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) — suckered by Hollywood’s erotic promise.
—
Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
But all along a toxic combination of venal Post Office management and a faulty computer system was to blame.
—John Arlidge, airmail.news, 11 May 2024
Goldblum also starred as the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, another ruler whose venal pursuit of power is only matched by his own stupidity.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Nov. 2024
The wager at the root of the story is designed to reflect the venal hollowness of the upper class.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for venal
Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
But all along a toxic combination of venal Post Office management and a faulty computer system was to blame.
—John Arlidge, airmail.news, 11 May 2024
Goldblum also starred as the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, another ruler whose venal pursuit of power is only matched by his own stupidity.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Nov. 2024
The wager at the root of the story is designed to reflect the venal hollowness of the upper class.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for venal
Cite this Entry
“Venal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/venal. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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