Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of being bribed or corrupted: Describes a person, especially one in a position of authority or trust, who is willing to act dishonestly in exchange for money or personal gain. It implies a lack of integrity and a susceptibility to improper influence.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The investigation revealed that several officials were bribable, undermining public trust in the institution.
  • A bribable customs officer can facilitate illegal trade.
  • The system failed because it was managed by bribable individuals.

Advanced Usage

• "to be found bribable": to be discovered or proven to be corruptible.
  • The auditor was found to be bribable, leading to a major scandal.
• "inherently bribable": describing a character or system fundamentally prone to corruption.
  • The lack of oversight created an inherently bribable environment.

Variants and Related Words

• Corruptible (adj): Able to be morally corrupted; often used interchangeably with "bribable," though it can have a broader meaning.
• Purchasable (adj): Capable of being bought; in a moral context, very similar to "bribable."
• Venal (adj): Motivated by or open to bribery; often implies a readiness to sell one's services or influence. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Corrupt
• Dishonest
• Buyable
• On the take (idiomatic)

Related Phrases

• Open to bribery: Willing to accept bribes.
  • The clerk was openly open to bribery, making the process unfair.
• Susceptible to influence: Vulnerable to being swayed, often unethically.
  • His financial troubles made him more susceptible to improper influence.

Related Idioms

• Have a price: To be willing to do something dishonest for money.
  • Every man has his price implies that anyone can become bribable under the right circumstances.
• In someone's pocket: Controlled by someone due to bribes or favors.
  • The regulator was in the corporation's pocket, rendering him completely bribable.

Adjective

1. capable of being corrupted
   • corruptible judges
   • dishonest politicians
   • a purchasable senator
   • a venal police officer