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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corruption
Gullah is possibly a corruption of Angola, a region from which many Africans were seized.
—
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
The longtime media personality took up his government post last year alongside fellow online agitator Kash Patel, and the duo had what must have seemed like a chance to act on their manifold concerns about crime and corruption, the Jeffrey Epstein saga chief among them.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026
There were participants in our cohort who remained rightfully critical of our utopian aims, our spectrum of privilege, and our position as cultural workers living through global extinction, famine, corruption, and violence in all its forms.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In other words, if Hollywood had an awards show for public corruption trials, this case would be at home watching it and moping that it didn’t get nominated.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
The longtime media personality took up his government post last year alongside fellow online agitator Kash Patel, and the duo had what must have seemed like a chance to act on their manifold concerns about crime and corruption, the Jeffrey Epstein saga chief among them.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026
There were participants in our cohort who remained rightfully critical of our utopian aims, our spectrum of privilege, and our position as cultural workers living through global extinction, famine, corruption, and violence in all its forms.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In other words, if Hollywood had an awards show for public corruption trials, this case would be at home watching it and moping that it didn’t get nominated.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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The team is using a process called thermal decomposition to unlock the chemical secrets of neptunium.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Slower decomposition of food scraps can attract rodents and other unwanted critters.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The cold can also freeze liquids, crack containers and prompt chemical degradation.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Grave of the Fireflies is about the horrors and degradations of war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This approach can be applied to any behavior, including crime and immorality.—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
One celebrates the beauty and moral uplift of the Sabbath; the other denounces the immorality of the godless in the fiery manner of a tent-revival preacher.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Leaking water can cause structural decay, mold growth, destroyed flooring, and more.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lambdas are ideal for spin research because the direction of a lambda’s spin can be inferred from the direction in which a proton or antiproton is emitted during its decay.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This idea that America is a nefarious and terrible force in the world that has committed myriad sins and must withdraw from the world, both for its own good and for the good of the world.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
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The deadline still needs to play out, and Karnisovas has some basketball sins to recover from before this thing trends in the right direction.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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It’s filled with super-heightened emotions; unrestrained passion, betrayal, evil and even a magic spell or two.—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Feb. 2026
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Sumo wrestlers participated in a ritual to expel evil from the grounds.—
Lydia Price,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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