“Venal” and “venial” are two words that sound similar but have entirely different meanings. One refers to corruption and dishonesty, while the other refers to a minor or forgivable offense. Using them correctly is important, especially when discussing morality or ethics.
Venal
Definition:
Venal means susceptible to corruption, bribery, or dishonesty. It is often used to describe individuals or actions that can be influenced by money or personal gain in an unethical way.
Examples of use:
The official was accused of engaging in venal practices during the election campaign.
The contractor’s venal behavior led to shoddy work and inflated prices.
Corruption scandals often reveal how venal some politicians can be.
Venial
Definition:
Venial refers to something that is minor, easily excused, or forgiven, often used in religious contexts to describe small sins or offenses.
Examples of use:
Eating meat on Fridays used to be considered a venial sin in the Catholic Church.
Forgetting to call your friend on their birthday may be a venial mistake, easily forgiven with an apology.
The teacher considered the student’s minor misbehavior a venial offense and gave only a warning.
In summary, venal describes corrupt, dishonest actions, while venial refers to minor, forgivable offenses. Keeping their distinct meanings in mind will help you avoid confusion when discussing moral or ethical behavior.
