What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bribery
Example
The businessman was arrested for bribery after offering a large sum of money to a government official. [bribery: noun]
Example
The politician was accused of bribery for accepting expensive gifts from a lobbyist. [bribery: gerund or present participle]
kickback
Example
The contractor was caught receiving kickbacks from suppliers in exchange for awarding them lucrative contracts. [kickbacks: noun]
Example
The company executive was involved in a kickback scheme, receiving a percentage of the profits from a fraudulent deal. [kickback: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bribery is a more commonly used term than kickback in everyday language and legal contexts. Bribery is a broader concept that covers a wider range of situations, while kickback is more specific and may not be as widely known.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between bribery and kickback?
Both bribery and kickback are associated with negative connotations and are considered highly informal and inappropriate in formal settings. However, bribery is more commonly used in legal and official contexts, making it slightly more formal than kickback.
