ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›V›venal
ISEE/SSAThard
venal
willing to act dishonestly in exchange for money
Synonyms
- corrupt
- bribable
- corruptible
Antonyms
- honest
- principled
- incorruptible
venal in a sentence
The venal official sold building permits to the highest bidder.
A venal judge secretly altered his rulings for wealthy defendants.
Where it comes from
From Latin venalis, meaning 'for sale.'
Memory hook
VENAL sounds like 'vend': a venal person treats integrity as something to sell.
Read it in context
- The Bellwether Revision Social Science