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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corruption
Though corruption forced him to step down, Arthur regained his position in 1874 and served until 1880.
—
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
In a high-profile, three-month-long trial, prosecutors alleged that Sarkozy funneled millions of dollars from the Libyan government into his campaign coffers; he was acquitted of further charges of embezzlement and corruption.
—semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Undeterred, scores of people took to the streets again this summer to mark the one-year anniversary of the initial mobilization and decry persistent police brutality, corruption, and a prolonged cost-of-living crisis.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
The accident’s 16 deaths, however, served to sharpen questions about corruption, failures of oversight and government accountability.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
In a high-profile, three-month-long trial, prosecutors alleged that Sarkozy funneled millions of dollars from the Libyan government into his campaign coffers; he was acquitted of further charges of embezzlement and corruption.
—semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Undeterred, scores of people took to the streets again this summer to mark the one-year anniversary of the initial mobilization and decry persistent police brutality, corruption, and a prolonged cost-of-living crisis.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
The accident’s 16 deaths, however, served to sharpen questions about corruption, failures of oversight and government accountability.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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The website states that the body was located on Wednesday, October 4, 1978, and the remains were unrecognizable due to decomposition.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC news,
21 Sep. 2025
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Authorities told the outlets that the body was in a state of decomposition.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For Parisian Jews in 1941 and 1942, these thefts were compounded by a cascade of other degradations, including the loss of distinguished positions at the Sorbonne, in banking, science, and medicine, with more devastation to come.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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Zanardi’s statement provides a glimpse into the way detentions have been conducted as well as the powerful degradation of trust in the system that has led up to two-thirds of immigrants scheduled for hearings to skip them in fear of arrest.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hank isn’t being accused of mere immorality, after all; he’s being accused of rape, which was also a crime back in Kierkegaard’s days.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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Beyond the inherent immorality of thoughtlessly torturing and killing birds and wildlife, Death Pipes are an example of the hidden toll that people and their structures are exacting on nature.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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It is also naturally produced through the decay of other isotopes found in used nuclear fuel.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
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The two manage to thrive together amid the decay and disorder of their East Hampton, New York mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Their sins will be washed away by the waters of liberty.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Maybe she’s being punished for her sin?—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But this is no case study in the evils of devil-worshipping musicians.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
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On this Sunday, a day meant for worship and peace, such violence is a grave evil.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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How long Beto remains in the line-up will be determined by whether Saturday’s profligacy comes to be seen as an anomaly or the norm.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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More political turmoil in the world fourth-largest economy could rattle the bond market as investors gauge whether the next leader will lean toward fiscal discipline or more profligacy.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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