Suborn

usgb/səˈbɔːrn/
verb

To secretly convince someone to do something illegal or wrong.

The lawyer was accused of trying to suborn a witness in the high-profile case.
Visual representation of "suborn" - To secretly convince someone to do something illegal or wrong.

Often appears as...

  • suborn perjury
  • suborn evidence

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

Academic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "suborn"
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Legal Wrongdoing

Suborn often relates to serious breaches of law like perjury or bribing.

Illustration for Legal Wrongdoing
The CEO was jailed for suborning his accountant to falsify the financial reports.
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Secrecy Implied

'Suborn' implies secretive actions, making them harder to detect and prove.

Illustration for Secrecy Implied
The operation was compromised when an agent was suborned to leak confidential information.
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Moral Dilemma

Using 'suborn' hints at a moral struggle for the person being convinced to do wrong.

Illustration for Moral Dilemma
He was suborned into lying, despite his conscience protesting.
Visual representation of the word "Suborn"

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