bribery
Bribery is the act of giving money or gifts to someone to make them do something dishonest.
Explanation at your level:
Bribery is a bad thing. It means giving money to someone to break a rule. If you give money to a teacher to get an 'A' grade, that is bribery. It is not allowed in school or work.
Bribery is when you offer something valuable to a person in charge so they do what you want. It is illegal. For example, if a driver gives money to a police officer to avoid a ticket, that is bribery.
Bribery is a common term for corruption. It happens when someone uses money or gifts to influence an official's decision. It is considered a serious crime because it makes things unfair for people who follow the rules.
Bribery is the act of inducing someone to act dishonestly by offering them an incentive. It is a major issue in international business and politics. Many companies have strict policies to prevent their employees from engaging in bribery.
Bribery represents a fundamental breach of professional and public ethics. It involves the illicit exchange of value to secure an advantage, often distorting market competition or legal outcomes. It is frequently discussed in the context of corporate compliance and anti-corruption legislation like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Bribery is a pervasive socio-political phenomenon that erodes institutional integrity. Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'alms' or 'gifts,' it has evolved into a sophisticated mechanism of systemic corruption. In legal discourse, it requires proving 'corrupt intent,' distinguishing it from legitimate lobbying or gift-giving. It remains a central theme in political science and ethics, highlighting the tension between private interest and public duty.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Bribery is the illegal act of influencing someone.
- It is a form of corruption.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is strictly forbidden in business and law.
At its core, bribery is about cheating the system. Imagine you are playing a game, and one player pays the referee to make sure they win; that is exactly what bribery looks like in real life.
When someone offers a bribe—which could be cash, expensive gifts, or even a favor—they are trying to gain an unfair advantage. This is not just about breaking rules; it is about breaking trust. Whether it is a business deal or a government contract, bribery makes the process unfair for everyone else involved.
Because it is so harmful to society, most countries have very strict laws against it. If you are caught giving or taking a bribe, you can face huge fines or even go to jail. It is a serious topic, but understanding it helps you see why integrity and transparency are so important in our world today.
The word bribery comes from the Middle English word briberie, which originally referred to 'begging' or 'theft.' It traces back to the Old French word briber, meaning to 'beg' or 'ask for bread.'
Back in the 14th century, a 'bribe' didn't necessarily mean a cash payment to a politician. It was often associated with scraps of food given to beggars or thieves. Over time, the meaning shifted from a simple handout to a more sinister act of 'buying' someone's influence.
By the 16th century, the term had firmly established itself in legal and political contexts. It became the go-to word for describing the corruption of judges and officials. It is fascinating how a word that started as a way to describe helping the poor eventually evolved into a term for one of the most common forms of white-collar crime.
You will mostly hear bribery used in formal, legal, or journalistic contexts. It is not a word you would use in casual conversation unless you are discussing news, politics, or crime dramas.
Common phrases include allegations of bribery or a bribery scandal. When talking about the act itself, we often use verbs like commit, accept, or investigate. For example, 'The company was investigated for bribery.'
The register is strictly formal. If you use it in a casual setting, it sounds very serious. Always be careful when using this word; accusing someone of bribery is a very heavy claim that carries significant legal weight.
While there are not many 'fun' idioms for such a serious topic, there are expressions related to influence:
- Grease someone's palm: To give someone money to do a favor.
- Sweeten the deal: Offering an extra incentive to make an agreement more attractive.
- Under the table: Doing something secretly and illegally, usually involving money.
- Kickback: A return of a portion of a sum of money received, especially as a result of coercion or secret agreement.
- Pay-off: A bribe or payment made to influence someone's behavior.
Bribery is an uncountable noun. You cannot say 'a bribery' or 'brieries.' You refer to it as 'an act of bribery' or simply 'bribery.'
The pronunciation is BRY-buh-ree. In both British and American English, the stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like finery, winery, and slippery.
Grammatically, it often follows verbs like accused of, charged with, or guilty of. It is a classic example of a noun derived from a verb (bribe + -ery suffix).
Fun Fact
It originally referred to food scraps given to beggars.
Pronunciation Guide
BRY-buh-ree
BRY-buh-ree
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing as 'brib-er-y'
- Stressing the second syllable
- Dropping the 'r' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand once defined.
Requires formal tone.
Requires careful usage.
Common in news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Bribery is bad.
Passive Voice
He was accused of bribery.
Prepositional Phrases
Guilty of bribery.
Examples by Level
Bribery is bad.
Bribery = illegal gift
Noun as subject
Do not use bribery.
Don't do it
Imperative
It is a crime.
Illegal act
Simple sentence
Bribery is not fair.
Unfairness
Adjective usage
They hate bribery.
Dislike
Transitive verb
Bribery is wrong.
Immoral
Subject-verb-adjective
He stopped the bribery.
Ending it
Past tense
We avoid bribery.
Stay away
Present tense
Bribery is against the law.
The boss was fired for bribery.
He was accused of bribery.
Bribery ruins trust.
She refused the bribery attempt.
The police fight against bribery.
Bribery is a serious problem.
Avoid bribery at all costs.
The scandal involved millions in bribery.
Many countries have strict laws against bribery.
He was arrested on charges of bribery.
The company implemented a zero-tolerance policy on bribery.
Bribery undermines the democratic process.
She reported the bribery to the authorities.
The investigation uncovered systemic bribery.
Bribery is a major barrier to fair business.
The politician was implicated in a major bribery scandal.
Bribery is often used to secure lucrative government contracts.
The firm faced heavy fines for international bribery.
Bribery is a form of white-collar crime that is hard to detect.
He was convicted of bribery and sentenced to prison.
The organization works to eliminate bribery in developing nations.
Bribery distorts the competitive landscape of the industry.
The whistleblower exposed the bribery scheme.
The pervasive nature of bribery in the region has stifled economic growth.
Anti-bribery compliance programs are now mandatory for multinational corporations.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence of bribery.
Bribery is frequently masked as 'consulting fees' in financial reports.
The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence regarding the bribery.
Bribery remains a significant obstacle to achieving sustainable development goals.
The culture of bribery was deeply embedded within the department.
Legislators are pushing for stricter penalties for public sector bribery.
The systemic nature of the bribery scandal prompted a complete overhaul of the institution's governance structure.
Bribery, once considered a standard tool of diplomacy, is now universally condemned under international law.
The intricate bribery network spanned three continents and involved high-ranking officials.
The moral decay caused by institutionalized bribery is difficult to reverse.
The case serves as a landmark precedent in the fight against corporate bribery.
Bribery is an insidious practice that compromises the rule of law.
The auditor flagged several suspicious transactions that suggested potential bribery.
The political fallout from the bribery allegations was catastrophic for the administration.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"grease someone's palm"
To bribe someone
He had to grease the official's palm to get the permit.
informal"under the table"
Secret and illegal
The payment was made under the table.
neutral"sweeten the deal"
Add an incentive
They offered a bonus to sweeten the deal.
neutral"kick the bucket"
To die (unrelated, but often confused in slang context)
Not applicable to bribery.
informal"pay to play"
Paying for access
It's a pay to play system.
business"backhander"
A bribe
He took a backhander to ignore the rules.
informalEasily Confused
Both involve influence
Lobbying is legal; bribery is not
Lobbying is protected; bribery is prosecuted.
Both involve money/crime
Extortion is forced; bribery is consensual
He was extorted; he offered a bribe.
Both involve giving
Gifts are voluntary; bribes have strings attached
A gift is a present; a bribe is a payment.
Both involve money
Tips are for service; bribes are for influence
I tipped the waiter; I bribed the guard.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + was accused of + bribery
He was accused of bribery.
There is + an investigation into + bribery
There is an investigation into bribery.
The company + has a policy against + bribery
The company has a policy against bribery.
He + was found guilty of + bribery
He was found guilty of bribery.
The act of + bribery + is illegal
The act of bribery is illegal.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Bribery is uncountable.
It has no plural form.
Bribery is the act/concept.
Bribery is only a noun.
Common typo: briberry.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a judge's bench with a stack of cash hidden under it.
Native Usage
Use it to describe political scandals.
Cultural Insight
Transparency International tracks global bribery.
Grammar Shortcut
Never say 'a bribery'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'BRY' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
The word is centuries old.
Study Smart
Read news articles about corruption.
Writing Tip
Pair it with 'alleged' to be safe.
Speaking Tip
Keep your tone serious.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Bribe + ery (a place or act of bribing).
Visual Association
A hand passing a hidden envelope under a desk.
Word Web
Challenge
Look up 'anti-bribery policy' for a major company.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: Begging or theft
Cultural Context
Very high; accusing someone of bribery is a serious legal allegation.
Highly sensitive term in Western business ethics.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Business
- Corporate bribery
- Compliance officer
- Illegal payments
Politics
- Political scandal
- Public official
- Corruption charges
Law
- Prosecution
- Evidence
- Conviction
Daily Life
- Bribing a child
- Small favor
- Unfair advantage
Conversation Starters
"What do you think is the best way to stop bribery?"
"Have you ever heard of a major bribery scandal in the news?"
"Why do you think some people resort to bribery?"
"Is there a difference between a 'gift' and a 'bribe' in your culture?"
"How does bribery affect the economy of a country?"
Journal Prompts
Write about why integrity is important in leadership.
Describe a scenario where someone might be tempted to use bribery.
Reflect on how laws against corruption protect society.
If you were a judge, how would you punish bribery?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it can be gifts, services, or favors.
Usually, it must have tangible value.
A tip is a reward for service; a bribe is for influence.
Yes, in almost all countries.
Rules companies use to stop bribery.
Only if you are joking about 'bribing' a friend with pizza.
No, lobbying is legal influence; bribery is illegal.
Contact local law enforcement or an ethics hotline.
Test Yourself
Bribery is a ___.
Bribery is illegal.
Which is a synonym for bribery?
Both relate to dishonesty.
Bribery is legal in most countries.
It is illegal globally.
Word
Meaning
Noun vs Concept.
Standard passive construction.
Score: /5
Summary
Bribery is an illegal exchange of value to gain an unfair advantage, and it is a serious crime that undermines trust.
- Bribery is the illegal act of influencing someone.
- It is a form of corruption.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is strictly forbidden in business and law.
Memory Palace
Imagine a judge's bench with a stack of cash hidden under it.
Native Usage
Use it to describe political scandals.
Cultural Insight
Transparency International tracks global bribery.
Grammar Shortcut
Never say 'a bribery'.
Example
The traffic officer was fired after being caught on camera accepting a small amount of bribery from a driver.
Related Content
More Law words
legal
A2Something that is legal is allowed or required by the official laws of a country. It can also describe things that are connected to the law, such as lawyers, courts, or contracts.
arbiter
B2An arbiter is a person or authority who has the power to settle a dispute or decide what is right, acceptable, or fashionable. It can refer to a formal legal role or a metaphorical judge of cultural and social standards.
dislegly
C1A test-specific term used to describe something that is not permitted by law or established rules. It characterizes actions, behaviors, or documents that violate a formal code or legal standard within a controlled linguistic simulation.
circumlegic
C1To strategically bypass or interpret around the literal boundaries of a law, regulation, or specific text. This verb describes the act of navigating through complex rules to find an alternative path without strictly violating the letter of the law.
violate
B2To break, disregard, or fail to comply with a law, rule, agreement, or principle. It can also mean to treat a person, place, or thing with disrespect or to disturb someone's privacy or rights.
accomplice
C1An accomplice is a person who helps someone else commit a crime or a dishonest act. This individual is legally or morally responsible for their involvement, even if they were not the primary person performing the act.
adduccide
C1Describing evidence, arguments, or facts that are specifically brought forward or cited as proof in a formal discussion. It characterizes information that is directly relevant and capable of being used to support a specific claim or hypothesis.
nontribment
C1The state or condition of being exempt from a mandatory contribution, tribute, or communal obligation within a structured group. It specifically refers to the formal status of not being required to participate in a shared burden or collective expense.
arraign
C1To call or bring a person before a court to answer a criminal charge. This formal process involves reading the charging document to the defendant in the presence of a judge to inform them of their rights and the accusations against them.
designate
B2To officially choose someone or something for a particular role, purpose, or category. It often involves formal recognition or marking a specific area for a specific function.
