• (rhotic) IPA: /səˈbɔːɹn/
• (non-rhotic) IPA: /səˈbɔːn/

suborn (suborns, present participle suborning; past and past participle suborned)

1. (transitive) To induce to commit an unlawful or malicious act, or to commit perjury [from 16th c.]
2. (transitive) To procure privately, or by collusion; to incite secretly; to instigate.
   • c. 1603–1604, William Shakespeare, “Measvre for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act V, scene i]:

     Thou art suborned against his honour.

   • Those who by despair suborn their death.

   • 1981, Donald Kagan, The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition:

     The informer Diocleides was hailed as savior of the city, crowned with a wreath, and taken in honor to the Prytaneum where he dined at public expense. In their excitement and gratitude the Athenians noted neither his attempt to suborn a bribe nor his delay in seeking public safety.