subornation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablelegalformal

   The act of persuading or bribing someone to commit an illegal act, especially to lie in court.

   Grammar: Uncountable: no plural; say 'an act of subornation' if you need to count it.

   Patterns

   • subornation of perjury
   • subornation of a witness

   The lawyer was charged with subornation of perjury after offering money to a witness.

   Subornation of a witness is a serious crime in most legal systems.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   The act of getting someone to do something wrong or illegal by persuasion or bribery.

   Grammar: Used more generally in formal writing; still uncountable.

   Patterns

   • subornation of someone

   The report described the subornation of officials through secret payments.

   He was accused of the subornation of young recruits into criminal activities.

Common combinations

subornation of perjury

He faced charges of subornation of perjury.

charge of subornation

She was arrested on a charge of subornation.

commit subornation

Anyone who tries to commit subornation will be prosecuted.

subornation of a witness

The judge warned against subornation of a witness.

Synonyms and how they differ

bribery

Bribery is giving money or gifts to influence someone; subornation specifically means persuading someone to commit a crime, often perjury.

corruption

Corruption is dishonest behavior by those in power; subornation is the act of persuading someone else to do wrong.

incitement

Incitement is encouraging someone to commit a crime; subornation often involves bribery or pressure and is typically used for perjury.

Word family

suborn verb

To persuade or bribe someone to commit an illegal act, especially to lie in court.

suborner noun

A person who suborns someone.

Commonly confused: subornation or subordination? subornation or abomination?

Practice

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