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.

MacKenzie Scott donated $700 million to more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities, showing that not all tech billionaires are selfish and venal.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 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

Santos incarnates its venal and ridiculous side, the part rooted in reality TV and get-rich-quick schemes.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2023

I feel like there's a cynicism — you use the word venal — because there's a sort of very detached, almost nihilistic perspective that I feel has entered our culture.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2023

There was something venal about his thin-lipped face; he had the air of a man to whom corruption was familiar.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie