corruption
noun
cor·rup·tion
kə-ˈrəp-shən 
1
a
: dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people (such as government officials or police officers) : depravity
b
: inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (such as bribery)
the corruption of government officials
c
: a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct
the corruption of a text
the corruption of computer files
d
: decay, decomposition
the corruption of a carcass
2
chiefly dialectal
: pus
3
archaic
: an agency or influence that corrupts
Examples of corruption in a Sentence
There are rumors of widespread corruption in the city government.
the mafia's corruption of public officials
corruption of the English language
computer software that is supposed to prevent the corruption of files
the corruption of a text
Recent Examples on the Web
In practice, the memo explained, the reports should be scrubbed of references such as those to prison abuses, government corruption, and locking up dissidents without due process.
—
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
That focus on wholesome foods, drug safety, and eliminating corruption in pharmaceuticals and the food industry has justifiably captured public enthusiasm.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Amid the unbridled capitalism of the Gilded Age, the milk supply was a nightmare of corruption and contamination.
— Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Crow said that his priorities include creating safer spaces for teachers and staff by eliminating corruption and discrimination and examining what district initiatives have been completed and whether students are benefiting from them.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
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Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
That focus on wholesome foods, drug safety, and eliminating corruption in pharmaceuticals and the food industry has justifiably captured public enthusiasm.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Amid the unbridled capitalism of the Gilded Age, the milk supply was a nightmare of corruption and contamination.
— Made By History, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Crow said that his priorities include creating safer spaces for teachers and staff by eliminating corruption and discrimination and examining what district initiatives have been completed and whether students are benefiting from them.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corruption. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
corruption
noun
cor·rup·tion
kə-ˈrəp-shən
1
: physical decay or rotting
2
: dishonest or evil behavior
3
: the causing of someone else to do wrong (as by bribery)
4
: a change from the original or for the worse
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