Venal
adjective
Somebody who is willing to do dishonest things for money.
The venal politician accepted bribes to push agendas that would typically be rejected.
Often appears as...
- venal corruption
- venal practices
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Able to be bought or influenced because of lack of principles.
Despite her venal nature, she was surprisingly popular among her peers.
Often appears as...
- venal judge
- venal officer
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Somebody who is willing to do dishonest things for money.
The venal politician accepted bribes to push agendas that would typically be rejected.
Often appears as...
- venal corruption
- venal practices
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Able to be bought or influenced because of lack of principles.
Despite her venal nature, she was surprisingly popular among her peers.
Often appears as...
- venal judge
- venal officer
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Venal has a strongly negative tone, suggesting deep dishonesty and unethical behavior.
The company's venal approach to environmental laws angered many.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Context
Often used in contexts involving politics or power, where corruption can occur.
A series of venal deals tarnished the government's reputation.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Gain
Implies the person acts for personal gain, usually monetary, at others' expense.
The venal executive traded company secrets for personal profit.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Venal has a strongly negative tone, suggesting deep dishonesty and unethical behavior.
The company's venal approach to environmental laws angered many.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Context
Often used in contexts involving politics or power, where corruption can occur.
A series of venal deals tarnished the government's reputation.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Gain
Implies the person acts for personal gain, usually monetary, at others' expense.
The venal executive traded company secrets for personal profit.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Venal has a strongly negative tone, suggesting deep dishonesty and unethical behavior.
The company's venal approach to environmental laws angered many.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Context
Often used in contexts involving politics or power, where corruption can occur.
A series of venal deals tarnished the government's reputation.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Gain
Implies the person acts for personal gain, usually monetary, at others' expense.
The venal executive traded company secrets for personal profit.
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Quote examples
Anthony McCarten
New Zealander Novelist
There is the cult of the actor and of the director, and there's even been the cult of the celebrity chef and gardener, but there has never been a cult of the screenwriter. But I'm happy about that because what I crave - in a completely venal way - is creative opportunities, not recognition.
Quote examples
Peter Carey
Australian Novelist
In about 1975-76, I lived with a woman in a little hut with some fruit trees, and I had some of the most extraordinary, happy times of my life. Apart from the horrendous Queensland police, who were corrupt and venal, it really was like living in paradise.
Quote examples
Richard Dooling
American Novelist
Deep down I knew that if Hell existed, it was a real place full of ruthless, venal people, like the commodity pits at the Chicago Board of Trade, Disney World, or oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court.
Quote examples
Rob Thomas
American Producer
I think there are people, and I do not mean this to be disparaging, there are people like Jay Mohr and Jeremy Piven where they just give you that vibe, 'This guy's going to play someone a little venal.
Quote examples
C. J. Box
American Writer
I love to feature children and young adults as real people - flawed, naive, virtuous, venal - but real. I think it adds nuance and depth to the stories that wouldn't exist without them.
Quote examples
Terry Eagleton
English Critic
Cynicism and naivety lie cheek by jowl in the American imagination; if the United States is one of the most venal nations on Earth, it is also one of the most earnestly idealistic.
Quote examples
Hunter S. Thompson
American Journalist
Nixon represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character almost every other country in the world has learned to fear and despise.
Quote examples
Michael Specter
American Journalist
It is not possible to assert publicly that Monsanto is anything other than venal without being accused of being a sellout, a fraud, or worse.
Quote examples
Paul Bettany
English Actor
Actors can be many things - vain, venal, self-serving, obnoxious, bullies - but all of the good ones are great storytellers.
Quote examples
Matt Taibbi
American Author
Within the cult of Wall Street that forged Mitt Romney, making money justifies any behavior, no matter how venal.
Quote examples
Anthony McCarten
New Zealander Novelist
There is the cult of the actor and of the director, and there's even been the cult of the celebrity chef and gardener, but there has never been a cult of the screenwriter. But I'm happy about that because what I crave - in a completely venal way - is creative opportunities, not recognition.
Quote examples
Peter Carey
Australian Novelist
In about 1975-76, I lived with a woman in a little hut with some fruit trees, and I had some of the most extraordinary, happy times of my life. Apart from the horrendous Queensland police, who were corrupt and venal, it really was like living in paradise.
Quote examples
Richard Dooling
American Novelist
Deep down I knew that if Hell existed, it was a real place full of ruthless, venal people, like the commodity pits at the Chicago Board of Trade, Disney World, or oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court.
Quote examples
Rob Thomas
American Producer
I think there are people, and I do not mean this to be disparaging, there are people like Jay Mohr and Jeremy Piven where they just give you that vibe, 'This guy's going to play someone a little venal.
Quote examples
C. J. Box
American Writer
I love to feature children and young adults as real people - flawed, naive, virtuous, venal - but real. I think it adds nuance and depth to the stories that wouldn't exist without them.
Quote examples
Terry Eagleton
English Critic
Cynicism and naivety lie cheek by jowl in the American imagination; if the United States is one of the most venal nations on Earth, it is also one of the most earnestly idealistic.
Quote examples
Hunter S. Thompson
American Journalist
Nixon represents that dark, venal and incurably violent side of the American character almost every other country in the world has learned to fear and despise.
Quote examples
Michael Specter
American Journalist
It is not possible to assert publicly that Monsanto is anything other than venal without being accused of being a sellout, a fraud, or worse.
Quote examples
Paul Bettany
English Actor
Actors can be many things - vain, venal, self-serving, obnoxious, bullies - but all of the good ones are great storytellers.
Quote examples
Matt Taibbi
American Author
Within the cult of Wall Street that forged Mitt Romney, making money justifies any behavior, no matter how venal.
Example 1 of 10
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