adjective

venal

VEE-nul/ˈviːnl/

Willing to act dishonestly for money.

The venal official accepts money while approving the contract.

A suited procurement official secretly accepts an envelope with banknotes visibly protruding beneath the edge of a desk while his other hand presses an approval stamp onto the giver’s otherwise blank contract above the desk.

Etymology

venalLatinfor sale; capable of being bribed

Latin venalis meant both “for sale” and “capable of being bribed.” Applied to people, the sale image treats their services or influence as something money can buy, expressing dishonest willingness to be bought.

In context

Crisis in Perception1:16

We have to separate what he calls venal corruption from systematic corruption. Venal corruption is simple, right? It's a public official pocketing a bribe for private gain.

Corruption and Reform: Lessons from America’s Economic History — The Hidden System Behind Corruption

More examples

Investigators exposed a venal network of influence.
She refused to deal with the venal broker.
The novel portrays a thoroughly venal administration.

Forms

venal · more venal · most venal

venality noun — willingness to be bribed

Similar words

corrupt: Corrupt is broadly dishonest; venal specifically suggests willingness to sell one’s integrity.
mercenary: Mercenary prioritizes money; venal implies corruptibility for payment.