What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suborn
Example
The defense attorney was accused of trying to suborn perjury from the witness. [suborn: verb]
Example
The politician was found guilty of suborning officials to gain political advantage. [suborning: gerund or present participle]
bribe
Example
The businessman was caught trying to bribe the government official to secure a contract. [bribe: verb]
Example
The athlete was disqualified from the competition for accepting a bribe from a rival team. [bribe: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bribe is more commonly used than suborn in everyday language. Bribe is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while suborn is less common and is usually associated with legal proceedings or criminal activity.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between suborn and bribe?
Both suborn and bribe are formal words that are typically used in legal or official contexts. However, bribe can also be used in informal contexts, such as tipping service workers or making small payments to expedite bureaucratic processes.
