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
As with other criminal syndicates, the cartel has long oiled the gears of corruption with bribes.
—
Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The corruption and incompetence of the current administration is intolerable.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Annamalai has also criticized the AIADMK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu since 2021 and the BJP’s key ally in the state, accusing it of corruption and expressing skepticism about the alliance.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
The people of District 20, in Broward and Palm Beach counties, are left with corruption without representation.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
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Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The corruption and incompetence of the current administration is intolerable.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Annamalai has also criticized the AIADMK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu since 2021 and the BJP’s key ally in the state, accusing it of corruption and expressing skepticism about the alliance.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
The people of District 20, in Broward and Palm Beach counties, are left with corruption without representation.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corruption. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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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