corrupt

¹cor·rupt

verb \kə-ˈrəpt\

Definition of CORRUPT

transitive verb

1

a : to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions; also : bribe

b : to degrade with unsound principles or moral values

2

: rot, spoil

3

: to subject (a person) to corruption of blood

4

: to alter from the original or correct form or version <the file was corrupted>

intransitive verb

1

a : to become tainted or rotten

b : to become morally debased

2

: to cause disintegration or ruin

— cor·rupt·er also cor·rup·tor \-ˈrəp-tər\ noun

— cor·rupt·ibil·i·ty \-ˌrəp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— cor·rupt·ible \-ˈrəp-tə-bəl\ adjective

— cor·rupt·ibly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of CORRUPT

1. a politician corrupted by greed
2. music that corrupts the morals of children
3. corrupting the country's legal system
4. the corrupting influence of power
5. Their idealism has been corrupted by cynicism.
6. The file has been corrupted and no longer works properly.
7. a corrupted version of the ancient text

Origin of CORRUPT

Middle English, from Latin corruptus, past participle of corrumpere, from com- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CORRUPT

Synonyms

break down, decay, decompose, disintegrate, fester, foul, mold, molder, perish [chiefly British], putrefy, rot, spoil

Antonyms

elevate, ennoble, uplift

Related Words

sour, turn, turn off [British]; contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; addle, curdle, ferment; mortify; rust; crumble, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, dilapidate, sink, wither

Near Antonyms

age, develop, grow, mature, ripen; refresh, renew, restore; cleanse, purify; assemble, compose, integrate; ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate

See Synonym Discussion at debase

Rhymes with CORRUPT

abrupt, bankrupt, disrupt, erupt, irrupt

²corrupt

adjective

Definition of CORRUPT

1

a : morally degenerate and perverted : depraved

b : characterized by improper conduct (as bribery or the selling of favors) <corrupt judges>

2

: putrid, tainted

3

: adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition <a corrupt version of the text>

— cor·rupt·ly \-ˈrəp(t)-lē\ adverb

— cor·rupt·ness \-ˈrəp(t)-nəs\ noun

Examples of CORRUPT

1. The country's justice system is riddled with corrupt judges who accept bribes.
2. corrupt cops who sell drugs
3. the country's corrupt legal system
4. a corrupt version of the text
5. a corrupt computer file that no longer works properly

Origin of CORRUPT

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin corruptus

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CORRUPT

Synonyms

debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, jackleg, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell (or rakehelly), rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped

Antonyms

pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted

Related Words

bent [chiefly British], crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous; contaminated, spoiled, tainted; bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked

Near Antonyms

incorruptible; ethical, honest, principled; good, moral, righteous, virtuous

See Synonym Discussion at vicious