corruption

noun

kə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce corruption (audio)
Definition of corruptionnext
1
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances the ancient Egyptians used special preservatives to spare their dead from complete corruption

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2
as in degradation
a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior the corruption of the upper classes eventually led to the fall of the Roman empire

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3
as in immorality
immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society Socrates was put to death because the ancient Athenians believed he was spreading corruption to their youth

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of corruption These are all major breakthroughs for a soccer-loving continent that had been underrepresented on the sport’s biggest stage and whose soccer success was often stymied by financial struggles and administrative corruption. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 The vulnerabilities address issues such as apps causing system termination, malicious web content leading to crashes or other issues such as memory corruption or hijacking of clipboard data. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The court previously upheld the same limits Asked why the Supreme Court upheld the law about 20 years ago, Potter said the justices concluded the restrictions were a constitutional way to prevent corruption. — Michel Martin, NPR, 1 July 2026 Kwok | Bloomberg | Getty An Indonesian corruption court on Tuesday sentenced former Education Minister Nadiem Makarim, a co-founder of ride- hailing and payments giant Gojek, to 10 years in prison for corruption. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
  1. decomposition
  2. degradation
  3. immorality
  4. decay
  5. sin
  6. evil
  7. sinfulness
  8. evilness
Noun
  • Authorities also found numerous dead animals in advanced stages of decomposition, including hundreds of chickens that investigators said had been discarded in bags and fed to the dogs, according to The Straits Times and The Standard.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • Investigators also found additional remains in advanced stages of decomposition, the sheriff’s office said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Definition of decomposition
Noun
  • Electric-vehicle owners and operators face concerns that repeated charging and discharging of a battery could accelerate battery degradation, and that use of V2G could void a battery warranty.
    — Lisa Baertlein, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • This unwanted movement, known as the polysulfide shuttle effect, causes active material loss, side reactions, self-discharge, and rapid capacity degradation.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026
  • That immorality takes on many forms across all aspects of society.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026
Definition of immorality
Noun
  • The aisles were so choked that blooms and branches brushed against us, the air heady with the scent of lilies, roses, eucalyptus, and sweet decay.
    — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • The physical properties of TRISO fuel and gas cooling allow the core to dissipate residual decay heat naturally.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • The angels, still in disguise as men, inform Lot that the city will be destroyed as punishment for its sins.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Solidaridad sin Fronteras has 58,000 health professionals among its members.
    — Sarah Moreno July 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Commissioned by Mattel as a blatant weekly half-hour commercial for its popular toy line, the show pits He-Man and his heroic chums against the evil (but strangely inept) Skeletor in a battle for control of Castle Grayskull.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
  • During the War for Independence, the tribe saw the British as the lesser of two evils.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.
    — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.
    — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of evilness

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corrupting
corruption
corruptness
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Cite this Entry

“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on corruption

Nglish: Translation of corruption for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corruption

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