formal 3K

Bribery

UK //ˈbraɪbəri// US //ˈbraɪbəri// Pronunciation

Definition

The act of giving money or gifts to influence someone's actions illegally.

Listen to definition

In simple words: Giving money or gifts to someone to get what you want.

Examples

• The politician was accused of bribery to secure the contract.
• Bribery is illegal in most countries and can lead to severe penalties.
• They uncovered a bribery scandal that shocked the nation.
• Many believe that bribery is a common practice in the industry.
• Efforts to combat bribery have increased among various governments.

Usage notes

Used mainly in legal or ethical discussions. Inappropriate in casual conversation. Context depends on accusations or investigations.

Grammar pattern

bribery + of/with + object

Memory hint

Think of 'bribe' with an 'ry' at the end – imagine a guy slyly offering money in a dark alley.

Collocations

• accusations of bribery
• charge of bribery
• cases of bribery
• bribery laws
• tackle bribery

Synonyms

• corruption
• bribe-taking
• subornation
• kickback
• inducement

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'bribe' as a verb vs. 'bribery' as a noun.
• Using in positive contexts (bribery is always negative).
• Mixing up with 'graft' which is a specific form of corrupt behavior.