Venal

Quick meaning: Venal is an adjective meaning Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit.

Meaning

Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit.

More Meanings

1. Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
2. (of behaviour etc.) Corrupt, mercenary.
3. (rare, archaic) Venous; pertaining to veins.
4. (archaic) For sale; available for purchase.

Example Sentences

Because lips libertine and and venal had murmured such words to him, he believed but little in the candour of hers; […].

Thus, regimental commands in the army were – as with the judiciary or the financial bureaucracy – venal posts, which were purchased, bequeathed and sold among the nobility.

Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and corrupt, […] as those who have lately figured on the political stage.

Synonyms for venal

Depending on context, synonyms include purchasable, crooked, corrupt, dishonest, corruptible, bribable.

Antonyms for venal

Common opposites include straight, honest, uncorrupt.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include dishonest, bribable, corruptible, corrupt, purchasable, mercenary.

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