Synonyms of corrupt

corrupt 1 of 2

adjective

as in degraded

having or showing lowered moral character or standards

corrupt businessmen who are out to fleece the public

corrupt business practices that should be investigated

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degraded
• sick
• crooked
• decadent
• perverted
• depraved
• degenerate
• loose
• dishonest
• dissolute
• debased
• debauched
• warped
• unclean
• unwholesome
• perverse
• spoiled
• demoralized
• vicious
• libertine
• immoral
• evil
• reprobate
• rakish
• dissipated
• unscrupulous
• wicked
• bad
• unethical
• unprincipled
• contaminated
• cutthroat
• jackleg
• sinful
• rakehell
• bent
• tainted
• nefarious
• iniquitous
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• incorruptible
• uncorrupt
• uncorrupted
• ethical
• honest
• moral
• good
• virtuous
• principled
• righteous

corrupt

2 of 2

verb

kə-ˈrəpt 

1

as in to rot

to go through decomposition

a dead mouse corrupting in the walls produced a terrible smell

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rot
• decay
• disintegrate
• decompose
• perish
• spoil
• fall apart
• mold
• foul
• fester
• deteriorate
• putrefy
• crumble
• break down
• descend
• contaminate
• pollute
• go to seed
• molder
• sour
• taint
• turn
• degenerate
• defile
• rust
• ferment
• mortify
• turn off
• curdle
• dilapidate
• decline
• sink
• wither
• addle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grow
• mature
• restore
• develop
• ripen
• age
• renew
• purify
• cleanse
• refresh
• improve
• better
• integrate
• assemble
• compose
• ameliorate
• meliorate

2

as in to degrade

to lower in character, dignity, or quality

some observers believe that grossly violent movies corrupt the people who watch them as well as the people who make them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• degrade
• subvert
• weaken
• pervert
• poison
• deteriorate
• deprave
• destroy
• humiliate
• debauch
• dilute
• prostitute
• ruin
• dirty
• damage
• disgrace
• debase
• profane
• demean
• bastardize
• pollute
• taint
• humble
• vitiate
• demoralize
• canker
• contaminate
• warp
• abase
• shame
• hurt
• lessen
• cheapen
• mar
• harm
• thin
• impair
• water down
• wreck
• spoil
• dishonor
• defile
• tarnish
• flaw
• stain
• begrime
• befoul
• descend
• take down
• deface
• blemish
• downgrade
• depreciate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• better
• uplift
• elevate
• honor
• perfect
• exalt
• enrich
• enhance
• restore
• amend
• ennoble
• clean
• ameliorate
• purify
• cleanse
• dignify
• refine
• clarify
• respect
• meliorate

3

as in to bribe

to influence someone with a bribe

he bragged about having corrupted half of the officials on the city council

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bribe
• seduce
• poison
• lure
• entice
• buy
• pay off
• have
• provoke
• persuade
• tempt
• get at
• square
• deprave
• subvert
• oil the hand of
• grease the hand of
• pervert
• taint
• debauch
• dishonor
• profane
• prostitute
• motivate
• debase
• degrade
• induce
• tamper (with)
• defile
• demean
• warp
• lead on
• spur
• stimulate
• abase
• bait
• allure
• trap
• beguile
• fix
• flatter
• goad
• snare

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective corrupt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of corrupt are degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When might degenerate be a better fit than corrupt?

The meanings of degenerate and corrupt largely overlap; however, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than corrupt?

Although the words iniquitous and corrupt have much in common, iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can nefarious take the place of corrupt?

The synonyms nefarious and corrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

When would vicious be a good substitute for corrupt?

While in some cases nearly identical to corrupt, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When can villainous be used instead of corrupt?

While the synonyms villainous and corrupt are close in meaning, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of corrupt

Adjective

While spearheading an investigation that turns out to include everything from corrupt cops to child welfare, Tom’s personal life is a wreck. — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

What could have ended the most corrupt government in the modern era might now be sabotaged by those who have to constantly explain what DSA is! — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Verb

Exploits will trigger guest-side actions alone to corrupt the host kernel’s shadow page, a data structure in the host that assists in the address translation. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026

If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state. — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026