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
That form of corruption would be worse than living large on the taxpayer dollars when many Denverites have had to forego eating out entirely to try and remain in the city and under budget.
—
The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
On the political left, capitalism has become increasingly associated with inequality, corporate power and corruption, and instability, while socialism is framed around equality, fairness and security.
—Justin Callais, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Connecticut has not been immune from public corruption investigations over the years.
—Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
A lot of the action centered around the corruption at the heart of fintech startup Tender.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
On the political left, capitalism has become increasingly associated with inequality, corporate power and corruption, and instability, while socialism is framed around equality, fairness and security.
—Justin Callais, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Connecticut has not been immune from public corruption investigations over the years.
—Timothy M. Herbst, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
A lot of the action centered around the corruption at the heart of fintech startup Tender.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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Wrapped in a biodegradable shroud of silk or wool, the body is placed in a pressurized chamber where a blend of hot water and chemicals accelerates natural decomposition.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Bacteria break down tissues and produce gases that contribute to the body's decomposition process.—
Layla Ferris,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The result has been a rapid and systematic degradation of Iran’s clout across the Middle East over the past 2½ years, a seismic change that led directly to this weekend’s devastating attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.—
Adam Geller,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
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Aquatic plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and other wildlife are harmed by water quality degradation from road salt treatments, which have further impacts on the local ecosystem (and human health, when our water supply gets saltier).—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Courteney Cox‘s dogged reporter/stand-in for media immorality Gale Weathers will naturally be on the scene once again, as well a host of recurring characters, fan favorites, and old faces from all six of the previous entries.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
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This approach can be applied to any behavior, including crime and immorality.—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The subsurface storage reserve acts as the ultimate shock absorber against price spike and the decay of petroleum reserves due to poorly managed well shut-in during crisis.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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The creation of a tiny black hole would only lead to its immediate decay.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On one hand, no one ever wants to repeat the Dolphins’ sin of passing over Drew Brees in free agency in 2006.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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All of these are sins that Trump would likely understand.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Why does their desire to hurt the American president politically trump their desire to assist the Iranian people achieve a new future for their children, free from the evil of the current regime?—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
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Blood Meridian throws out the Western trope of good versus evil in favor of a nihilist view of a world consumed by violence.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 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 Mar. 2026.
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