suborn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Legal
Quick answer
What does “suborn” mean?
to persuade or induce someone to commit an unlawful act, especially perjury.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to persuade or induce someone to commit an unlawful act, especially perjury.
to procure or induce someone to do something illegal, corrupt, or dishonest, often through bribery or deception; in legal contexts, specifically to induce someone to commit perjury (lie under oath).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally specialized and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical strong negative legal/corruption connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse in both regions, confined almost exclusively to legal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “suborn” in a Sentence
[Agent] suborns [Recipient] (to commit [Act])to suborn [someone] into [doing something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suborn” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The barrister was disbarred for attempting to suborn a witness.
- They uncovered a plot to suborn members of the jury.
American English
- The prosecutor alleged the defendant tried to suborn perjury.
- He was convicted for suborning a public official.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form in use.
American English
- No standard adverb form in use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form in use.
American English
- No standard adjective form in use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential in contexts of corporate corruption or fraud investigations.
Academic
Used in legal studies, political science (corruption), and historical texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. A highly specialized term.
Technical
Core term in legal language, specifically criminal law.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suborn”
- Using it to mean 'to subordinate'.
- Using it in non-legal contexts where 'bribe' or 'persuade' would be natural.
- Misspelling as 'subborn' (like stubborn).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but that is its most precise and common legal use. It can refer to inducing any unlawful act, but 'suborn perjury' is a set phrase.
It would sound very unusual and overly formal. Words like 'bribe', 'get someone to lie', or 'put someone up to it' are used instead.
The noun is 'subornation', as in 'subornation of perjury'.
'Bribe' is the general act of giving money/ favours corruptly. 'Suborn' is more specific: it is the act of bribing or persuading someone *to perform a specific illegal act*, especially lying in court.
to persuade or induce someone to commit an unlawful act, especially perjury.
Suborn is usually formal, legal in register.
Suborn: in British English it is pronounced /səˈbɔːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈbɔːrn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SUB' as 'under' and 'ORN' as related to 'ornament' or 'adorn'—to secretly 'adorn' or equip someone with a false story.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORRUPTION IS A CONTAMINANT / TRUTH IS STRAIGHT (suborning bends/warps the truth).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'suborn' most accurately used?