venal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Network, from 1976, cast him as a venal television producer.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

But that, of course, is the slippery pleasure of “Relay,” which pits individuals against venal institutional might.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2025

“I think people would actually be surprised there’s more decisions made in Congress on what people believe is in the public interest than in venal self-interest,” he told me.

From Slate • Jul. 10, 2025

We are everything everyone says we are – venal, shallow, incredibly ignorant, self-effacing, smug, arrogant and often wrong.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2024

“But pride, venal pride, got the better of you. And to think, all this time we could’ve been working together toward a common good!”

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs