What does unbribable mean?
Unbribable describes someone who cannot be bought off with money, favour, or another improper inducement. The word is usually applied to judges, officials, public servants, and other figures expected to exercise impartial judgment, although it may also refer to institutions or an established reputation for integrity. Its force is stronger than simply being honest: an unbribable person is portrayed as standing firm against a direct attempt to compromise impartiality. In everyday argument, the term can carry a faintly sceptical undertone, suggesting that a person's incorruptibility is especially notable or publicly asserted. The expression is formal and strongly evaluative, so it is more common in journalism, political discussion, and professional contexts than in casual conversation. Overall, unbribable usefully combines an unmistakable moral claim with the idea of resistance to financial temptation.
adjectiveNot susceptible to bribery; too honest or principled to be bought off or improperly influenced by a monetary inducement.
- Not susceptible to being bought off with a bribe; morally incorruptible and unwilling to surrender impartial judgment for money or another improper inducement.
"The commission maintained that its findings had been reached by an unbribable panel of independent experts."
"She remained unbribable despite repeated offers intended to influence the investigation."
"The inquiry was handled by an unbribable magistrate with no ties to the parties."
Money talks; an unbribable judge simply does not answer.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unbribable come from?
Unbribable is an English formation made from the negative prefix un-, the word bribe, and the adjective-forming suffix -able. Bribe is a Middle English word borrowed through Anglo-French from Old French, while the prefix and suffix follow familiar English patterns. Related forms such as bribery, bribable, and briber are built from the same lexical root.
Related word forms
How unbribable is actually used
A strongly evaluative word, most common in journalism, political discussion, legal contexts, and formal speech. It may sound rhetorical when used to emphasize someone's publicly demonstrated integrity.
Easily confused with unbribable
Incorruptible describes broad moral integrity, whereas unbribable focuses specifically on resistance to bribery.