noun
venality
vee-NAL-uh-tee/viːˈnæləti/
Willingness to act dishonestly for money or personal gain.
The referee shows his venality by accepting money from a coach.
Etymology
Being “buyable” became a moral judgment: someone’s principles or influence could be purchased. Venality names that readiness to trade honesty for money or reward.
In context
when marks of illegitimacy both in fact and in theory were nothing more than marks of cadency indifference from the arms of the head of the house it was no venality of the Heralds
More examples
- The investigation exposes the venality of officials who sell government contracts.
- Her refusal to take bribes stands out in an office known for venality.
- The novel portrays a judge whose venality puts innocent people in prison.
Forms
venality
venal adjective — Willing to act dishonestly for personal gain.
Similar words
- corruption
- Dishonest conduct or abuse of power, not just willingness.
- corruptibility
- Susceptibility to dishonest influence, whether or not money is involved.