bribery

noun

brib·​ery ˈbrī-b(ə-)rē How to pronounce bribery (audio)
plural briberies
: the act or practice of giving or taking a bribe

Examples of bribery in a Sentence

They were arrested on charges of bribery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office charged Bennett and Thomas Scott with intimidation of a witness, conspiracy, bribery and criminal use of a communication facility in connection with the case. — Cbs Philadelphia, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 All three men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, sports bribery, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Her confession to murdering her 2-year-old daughter was coerced, and the district attorney who prosecuted her case was later convicted of bribery, extortion and other crimes. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 In early 2025, the FBI opened a sweeping investigation into bribery on Capitol Hill with Graham’s steakhouse dinner at the center. — Molly Redden, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bribery

Word History

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bribery was in 1560

Browse Nearby Words

briber
bribery
Bribri
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bribery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bribery. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bribery

noun
brib·​ery ˈbrī-b(ə-)rē How to pronounce bribery (audio)
plural briberies
: the act or practice of bribing

Legal Definition

bribery

noun
brib·​ery
plural briberies
: the crime of giving or taking a bribe

More from Merriam-Webster on bribery

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bribery

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