bribery
- The act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for some kind of influence or action in return, which is considered illegal or unethical. nounThe politician was accused of bribery after accepting money to influence his vote.Bribery can undermine the integrity of public institutions and erode trust in governance.
- The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in a position of authority. nounThe company was fined for engaging in bribery to secure contracts overseas.Bribery in the corporate world can lead to severe legal consequences and damage to reputation.