corruption

noun

kə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce corruption (audio)
Definition of corruptionnext
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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of corruption In the early 1900s, Stevens writes, political corruption and graft was a notorious problem in Milwaukee. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 14 July 2026 More recently, the country’s military modernization program has been jolted by revelations of corruption at the highest levels of the People’s Liberation Army, including practically the entire top command of the rocket force. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 July 2026 Trump pardoned Cuellar and his wife in December after the couple was indicted on corruption charges under former President Joe Biden’s Justice Department. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026 The narrative centers on the early careers and shifting dynamic between legendary figures Cao Cao and Yuan Shao as political corruption, peasant rebellions, and personal ambitions push the capital of Luoyang into absolute chaos. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
  1. decomposition
  2. degradation
  3. immorality
  4. decay
  5. sin
  6. evil
  7. sinfulness
  8. evilness
Noun
  • Maintain Compost Bins Compost piles need to be kept damp in order to accelerate organic decomposition.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
  • Authorities also found numerous dead animals in advanced stages of decomposition, including hundreds of chickens that investigators said had been discarded in bags and fed to the dogs, according to The Straits Times and The Standard.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of decomposition
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the solid electrolyte framework held perfectly fine, showing no signs of degradation.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
  • Length of camping time is limited in order to protect natural resources from degradation and ensure fair access to all visitors, according to the USDA.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • Independents said the worst thing about Republicans was their loyalty to Trump (10%), perceptions of corruption and self-enrichment (8%), dishonesty, hypocrisy or immorality (7%), a lack of concern for ordinary people or cruelty (6%), and ineffective and weak or unqualified leadership (5%).
    — Emily Guskin, ABC News, 27 May 2026
  • That immorality takes on many forms across all aspects of society.
    — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 5 May 2026
Definition of immorality
Noun
  • Thek had a long-standing fascination with bodies, those repositories of hope and decay, but neither show focusses much on that.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • Without a triggering event, the decay stays visible only to the people doing the extra work.
    — Kerry Huang, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • The big mic drop at the conclusion of the finale turns out that Paula is a stone-cold (if possibly accidental) killer after all, and that the shadowy Souter Group is going to make her pay for her sins.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • Mary’s valley of sin was exalted and Simon’s mountain of pride was made low through the love of God.
    — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Boundaries of good and evil are blurred even further with the introduction of Batman’s most iconic villain, The Joker, played by Heath Ledger, who died before the film was released.
    — Lea Tran, TheWeek, 14 July 2026
  • Damien already has a legion of followers, who are more than willing to do his bidding and bring forth a new reign of evil.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • But soon after, in Genesis 18, God tells Abraham of plans to investigate reports of sinfulness in Sodom and Gomorrah.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of sinfulness
Noun
  • That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.
    — William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of evilness

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corrupting
corruption
corruptness
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Cite this Entry

“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on corruption

Nglish: Translation of corruption for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corruption

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