bribery
gb/bɹˈaɪbɚi/ us/bɹˈaɪbɚi/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
action
1
paying to influence decisions
Bribery is giving someone money or a gift to make them do something for you.
Usage pattern:
bribery (of [official]/in [place]/to do [something])
Common mistake:
Bribery is usually uncountable: say "bribery" or "an act of bribery," not "a bribery."
Synonyms
corruption (Broader term for dishonest abuse of power, including but not limited to bribes.)
|
graft (Informal (especially AmE) term for bribery/corrupt practices.)
Antonyms
integrity (Honest behavior that refuses improper influence.)
|
honesty (Truthful, fair conduct rather than secret payments.)
Collocations
allegations of bribery
|bribery and corruption
|political bribery
|corporate bribery
|bribery scheme
|bribery investigation
|accept bribery
|prevent bribery
|bribery conviction
|anti-bribery laws
Themes
crime
|law
|government
|business
|ethics
Examples
- The minister resigned after reporters uncovered evidence of bribery.
- The company introduced strict rules to prevent bribery in its overseas operations.
- Bribery undermines public trust in the justice system.
Learner examples
- Bribery is illegal in many countries.
- He was arrested for bribery.
Noun
legal
C1
abstract
2
the crime of bribing
In law, bribery is the crime of giving or taking a bribe.
Usage pattern:
bribery under [law]/bribery in connection with [case]
Common mistake:
Learners may use "bribery" when they mean "a bribe" (the money/gift).
Synonyms
graft (Less formal; can refer to the crime or the practice.)
|
official corruption (Broader legal/public term that can include bribery and other misconduct.)
Antonyms
lawfulness (Acting within the law rather than committing an offence.)
Collocations
bribery charges
|bribery prosecution
|bribery trial
|bribery conviction
|bribery statute
|bribery offence
|plead guilty to bribery
|sentenced for bribery
|evidence of bribery
|investigated for bribery
Themes
law
|crime
|courts
|government
Examples
- She faces up to five years in prison for bribery.
- The court heard detailed evidence of bribery involving public contracts.
- Prosecutors brought bribery charges against two senior managers.
Learner examples
- Bribery is a serious crime.
- He was found guilty of bribery.
Noun
formal
C1
state
3
widespread use of bribes
A place with bribery is a place where people often pay bribes to get things done.
Usage pattern:
bribery in [industry/place]/bribery within [organization]
Common mistake:
This meaning is about a general situation, not one single payment; use "a bribe" for one payment.
Synonyms
systemic corruption (Emphasizes that the problem is built into the system, not isolated.)
Antonyms
transparency (Open, accountable processes that make bribery harder.)
Collocations
endemic bribery
|widespread bribery
|systemic bribery
|tackle bribery
|reduce bribery
|bribery in government
|bribery in the police
|high levels of bribery
|bribery culture
|fight bribery
Themes
society
|government
|business
|ethics
Examples
- In some sectors, bribery is so common that honest firms struggle to compete.
- The reforms were designed to reduce bribery in public services.
- Tourists were warned about bribery at unofficial checkpoints.
Learner examples
- The new rules help stop bribery in the office.
Noun
formal
C1
event
4
a specific act of bribing
An act of bribery is one time when someone offers a bribe.
Usage pattern:
(an) act of bribery
Common mistake:
Don’t use "a bribery" for one event; say "a bribe" (the thing) or "an act of bribery" (the action).
Synonyms
bribe attempt (More direct about an unsuccessful or incomplete attempt.)
Antonyms
refusal (Rejecting the offer rather than participating in it.)
Collocations
an act of bribery
|a case of bribery
|report bribery
|attempted bribery
|suspected bribery
|minor bribery
|petty bribery
|blatant bribery
Themes
crime
|law
|daily_life
Examples
- The officer recorded the act of bribery on a body camera.
- The audit uncovered several acts of bribery linked to licensing decisions.
- Even a small act of bribery can lead to dismissal.
Learner examples
- They reported an act of bribery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bribery
IPA
GB/bɹˈaɪbɚi/
US/bɹˈaɪbɚi/
Syllables & stress
bribery (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bribery)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bribery
- Plural: bribery
Word family
Core family
bribe
verb B2
Related words
briber
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unbribable
adjective
Advanced or less common
bribable
adjective
Expressions
anti-bribery policy
1/ˈæntaɪ bɹˈaɪbɚi pˈɑlɪsi/
fixed phrase
business
rules to prevent bribes
Company rules that say employees must not pay or take bribes.
Examples
- All staff must read and follow the anti-bribery policy.
- The audit found that the anti-bribery policy was not being enforced.
- Suppliers are required to comply with the company’s anti-bribery policy.
attempted bribery
1/ətˈɛmptɪd bɹˈaɪbɚi/
fixed phrase
legal
trying to offer a bribe
Trying to give a bribe, even if it does not work.
Examples
- The driver was arrested for attempted bribery after offering cash to the officer.
- She was charged with attempted bribery of a public official.
- Attempted bribery can carry the same penalties as bribery in some places.
bribery and corruption
1/bɹˈaɪbɚi ˈænd kɚˈʌpʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
dishonest influence and abuse
Dishonest acts like paying bribes and using power unfairly.
Examples
- The agency was created to fight bribery and corruption.
- The report describes bribery and corruption in the procurement process.
- Voters demanded stronger action against bribery and corruption.
bribery charges
1/bɹˈaɪbɚi t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
legal
formal accusations of bribery
When the police or prosecutors say someone is guilty of bribery in court.
Examples
- He is facing bribery charges after the investigation into public contracts.
- Prosecutors brought bribery charges against the former mayor.
- The bribery charges were dropped due to lack of evidence.
bribery investigation
1/bɹˈaɪbɚi ɪnvˌɛstəɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
official inquiry into bribery
When authorities try to find out if bribery happened.
Examples
- Regulators launched a bribery investigation into the bidding process.
- The CEO stepped aside during the bribery investigation.
- Several arrests were made after a months-long bribery investigation.
bribery scandal
1/bɹˈaɪbɚi skˈændəl/
fixed phrase
public controversy over bribes
A big news story about people taking or paying bribes.
Examples
- The bribery scandal forced several officials to resign.
- A bribery scandal rocked the company just before the merger.
- The party’s popularity fell sharply after the bribery scandal.
commercial bribery
1/kəmˈɚʃəl bɹˈaɪbɚi/
fixed phrase
business
bribery in business dealings
Bribery connected to business, not government.
Examples
- The company was investigated for commercial bribery involving sales agents.
- The contract was awarded after an alleged case of commercial bribery.
- New compliance training focuses on preventing commercial bribery.