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

Synonyms of corruption

• decomposition
• decay

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

Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation by Brazil's Supreme Court, accused of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. — Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

The costs of corruption, a war of choice, and other policies that keep driving up prices, threaten the economic well-being of most Americans. — Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Talks will take place under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, or UNTOC, a global treaty established in 2003 to combat international criminal networks, money laundering, and corruption. — Spoorthy Raman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The messages, along with public corruption and the government’s faltering response to Hurricane María, brought thousands into the streets. — Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see corrupt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing corruption

• anti-corruption
• corruption of blood

Rhymes for corruption

• disruption
• eruption
• irruption
• incorruption
• interruption

Kids 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