suborn
UK: səˈbɔːn | US: səˈbɔːrn
vt. to induce someone to commit an unlawful or wrongful act, especially through bribery or corruption
vt. (Law) to procure or instigate a witness to give false testimony
The word suborn originates from Latin subornare ("to equip secretly"), combining sub- (under/secretly) and ornare (to prepare). It initially referred to secretly supplying or equipping someone for a task, later narrowing to the legal sense of covertly inducing someone to commit perjury or other wrongdoing. The term reflects the idea of "preparing someone underhandedly" for illicit acts.
The corrupt official attempted to suborn witnesses to hide evidence.
Suborning perjury is a serious crime in many legal systems.
He was accused of trying to suborn a juror during the trial.
The investigation revealed a plot to suborn public officials.
Lawyers must never suborn testimony, as it undermines justice.