easily bribed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easily bribed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is susceptible to being influenced or corrupted by bribes. Example: "The investigation revealed that several officials were easily bribed, compromising the integrity of the entire system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Local officials are easily bribed.

The Economist

In India's poorest districts, easily bribed police officers enable trafficking.

The New York Times

Cambodia's own labor inspectors are poorly trained, and unions complain they are too easily bribed.

The New York Times

Soldiers and air-force men, even senior ones, were poor and easily bribed; stocks of weapons, especially in remote corners such as Moldova, were barely monitored.With supply assured, demand for his goods and services grew.

The Economist

El Chapo's daring escapes have been seen by many as a source of embarrassment for the Mexican political and legal systems and a sign that the country's officials were easily bribed and manipulated to criminal end.

Independent

If manufacturing groups are hesitant to act, if government inspectors are easily bribed, if labor unions are yet to find a foothold, if human consciences are easily held in abeyance, what can make an owner improve conditions?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Arms dealers like Yuri, who easily bribe Soviet-made weaponry out of the hands of the military, have a stake in both Eastern-bloc corruption and endless civil strife in the Third World.

The New Yorker

Other incidents have occurred since, suggesting that Abin agents and phone-company employees can all too easily be bribed.

The Economist

No one takes any notice of government regulations that restrict logging, explains a manager at one of the sawmills; and if officials try to enforce them, they can easily be bribed.

The Economist

Let smart people make money with new ideas in a society where the cops can't easily be bribed and the judges aren't entirely bought, and liberal democracy will prosper.

The New Yorker

At first, this sort of honesty is refreshing, until he starts spewing on about "kaffirs", and telling an anecdote about how easily he bribed a black traffic cop.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systemic corruption, using "easily bribed" can effectively highlight the pervasiveness of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "easily bribed" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it carries a strong connotation of corruption and ethical compromise. Opt for gentler alternatives like "easily persuaded" or "easily influenced" if you want to convey the meaning of "easily convinced" instead of "corruption".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easily bribed" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns (usually people or institutions) to indicate their vulnerability to bribery. Ludwig shows that it's often used in contexts discussing corruption and ethical failings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

16%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "easily bribed" is an adjective phrase used to describe entities susceptible to bribery. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and is most commonly found in news and media contexts to denounce and highlight lack of integrity. While less frequent, it can also be found in Wiki articles. Synonyms include "susceptible to bribery" and "readily corruptible". When writing, remember that the connotation of "easily bribed" is a strong implication of corruption, therefore should be avoided in informal contexts where the intention is to convey "easily convinced".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to bribery

Focuses on the inherent vulnerability to bribery.

readily corruptible

Emphasizes the ease with which someone can be corrupted.

open to bribery

Highlights the accessibility of the individual to bribery attempts.

easily swayed by bribes

Specifically mentions the method of influence.

vulnerable to corruption

Highlights a general vulnerability to unethical influence.

prone to taking bribes

Focuses on the likelihood of accepting bribes.

easily influenced by graft

Uses a synonym for bribery.

corruptible with little effort

Emphasizes the minimal effort needed for corruption.

susceptible to influence peddling

Highlights the vulnerability in trading political influence.

compliant with bribery attempts

Highlights the compliance to bribery attempts.

FAQs

How can I use "easily bribed" in a sentence?

You can use "easily bribed" to describe individuals or systems susceptible to corruption, as in "The investigation revealed that local officials were "easily bribed"."

What are some synonyms for "easily bribed"?

Alternatives include "susceptible to bribery", "readily corruptible", or "open to bribery", each emphasizing a different aspect of vulnerability to corruption.

Is it appropriate to use "easily bribed" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate in formal writing when discussing corruption, ethics, or systemic failures. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

What implications does using the phrase "easily bribed" carry?

Using "easily bribed" implies a severe lack of integrity and a high susceptibility to corruption, suggesting a significant ethical compromise.