suborn
suh-BORN
/səˈbɔːrn/
Bribe or otherwise induce (someone) to commit an unlawful act such as perjury.
Specifically used for procuring illegal acts, especially inducing false witness testimony in court ('suborn perjury').
The story behind the word. From Latin 'subornare', from 'sub-' (underhandedly, secretly) and 'ornare' (to furnish, equip). Literally meaning 'to furnish secretly from below', as in providing someone hidden funds or incentives to commit perjury.
Word relationships
- instigate: Instigate means to incite generally; suborn specifically involves secret procurement or bribery to commit illegal acts.
- corrupt: Corrupt is broad; suborn specifically induces someone to break the law or lie in official proceedings.
- dissuade from crime: Persuading someone not to commit an illegal act.
Commonly confused with
- bribe: Bribery is the general act of paying for favor; suborn specifically means procuring someone to perform an illegal act, like perjury.
Word family
- subornation (noun): The crime of bribing or inducing someone to commit an illegal act.
Collocations
- suborn perjury
- suborn a witness
- attempt to suborn
Idioms & expressions
- bribe a witness
Example sentences
- "The defense attorney was disbarred after attempting to suborn perjury by paying a witness to lie under oath." Criminal Prosecution
- "Whoever shall suborn any witness to commit perjury shall be guilty of a felony." Judicial Law
Memory hook
SUB-ORN = SUB-rosa (secretly) ORNAMENTing someone with cash to lie. Bribing a witness to commit perjury.
When not to use
Do not use for general bribery that does not involve procuring an unlawful or perjurious act.
Fun facts
- In US federal law, 'subornation of perjury' carries a prison sentence of up to five years per occurrence.
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