# abscam

/ˈæbskæm/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abscam
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a famous American political scandal from the 1980s where people were caught taking money in exchange for favors.

For teachers: a major political corruption scandal in the United States during the early 1980s, involving the use of a sting operation to expose bribery and illegal lobbying.

## Examples

- The Abscam scandal led to several high-profile resignations.
- Investigative journalists played a key role in uncovering the Abscam scandal through the use of hidden cameras.
- The Abscam scandal remains a significant case study in political ethics, illustrating how undercover operations can reveal systemic corruption within government agencies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.