bribery

[4ania4]

Dear Teachers and Native Speakers,

I am looking for the words referring to criminals involved in bribery. I think I have found a bribe-taker and a bribe-giver. However, I am not sure if I can use the words in a formal situation.

Thank you for your help.

[The Dude]

I'd suggest you use 'briber' and 'bribee', although the second does sound odd. Both would be acceptable in formal writing. I can't think of any others, I'm afraid, so if you find yourself needing to use these words too often in your work, try to rearrange things to use an alternative construction. Possibilities are: the one... the other; the former...the latter; those who offer bribes...those who take bribes.

[5jj]

I'd suggest you use 'briber' and 'bribee', although the second does sound odd.

Even 'briber' sounds odd to me. Your suggestion about alternative constructions is good advice.

[Rover_KE]

Venal describes corrupt politicians/officials etc who take bribes, but that's an adjective and you seem to be looking for nouns.

Rover