suborn
Induce illegal testimony
To suborn is to induce someone to commit a wrongful act, especially to lie under oath.
The word appears almost exclusively in legal contexts: suborn perjury, suborn a witness.
It implies corrupting someone who might otherwise act lawfully—through bribery, threats, or persuasion.
The attorney was disbarred for suborning testimony.
Illicit payment for favor
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
- buy offPay to ensure compliance
- greaseThick oily lubricant
- payoffCulminating benefit received
kickback · graft · hush money · inducement · venality · palm-greasing · sweetener · slush fund
Criminal courtroom dishonesty
- false testimonyLying while legally sworn
- witness tamperingIllegally influencing trial observers
- lying under oathGiving false sworn testimony
- fabricateInvent or manufacture
falsify · forswear · false statement · obstruction · planted evidence · cover-up · false witness · testimony
Obtain by intimidation
- pressureForce upon contact
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
compel · force · extort · leverage · strong-arm · duress · manipulation · entrap
Plot secretly with others
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- colludeSecretly cooperate to deceive
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
intrigue · connive · complicity · cabal · secret agreement · criminal conspiracy · accomplice · co-conspirator
bribe
Illicit payment for favor
payoff · kickback · graft · hush money · inducement · venality · palm-greasing · sweetener · slush fund · fix
perjury
Criminal courtroom dishonesty
- false testimonyLying while legally sworn
- witness tamperingIllegally influencing trial observers
- lying under oathGiving false sworn testimony
fabricate · falsify · forswear · false statement · obstruction · planted evidence · cover-up · false witness · testimony · sworn statement
coerce
Obtain by intimidation
- pressureForce upon contact
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
threaten · compel · force · extort · leverage · strong-arm · duress · manipulation · entrap · compromise
conspire
Plot secretly with others
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- colludeSecretly cooperate to deceive
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
machination · intrigue · connive · complicity · cabal · secret agreement · criminal conspiracy · accomplice · co-conspirator · orchestrate