The AI-powered English dictionary
comparative more venal, superlative most venal
Venous; pertaining to veins. examples
(archaic) For sale; available for purchase.
Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit. quotations examples
Thus, regimental commands in the army were – as with the judiciary or the financial bureaucracy – venal posts, which were purchased, bequeathed and sold among the nobility.
2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 140
Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes. examples
(of behaviour etc.) Corrupt, mercenary. quotations examples
Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and corrupt, […] as those who have lately figured on the political stage.
1785, The Times, 9 Feb 1785, page 1, column C