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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corruption
Further, what remains unclear is FIFA’s plan on how to spend the extra billions of revenue, with its stated goal to support positive social change belied by a track record of corruption and lack of transparency.
—
Richard Sheehan, Fortune, 25 May 2026
Politically, Giuliani instinctively triangulated between President Ronald Reagan and Fiorello La Guardia, the irrepressible Republican-Socialist mayor who fought Tammany Hall corruption in the 1930s and remains a touchstone for mayors to this day.
—John Avlon, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
The students on Saturday demanded an early election and the rule of law, accusing the government of crime and corruption.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Many observers have said the legal cases against the CHP — mostly centered on corruption allegations — are aimed at neutralizing the party ahead of the next election.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Richard Sheehan, Fortune, 25 May 2026
Politically, Giuliani instinctively triangulated between President Ronald Reagan and Fiorello La Guardia, the irrepressible Republican-Socialist mayor who fought Tammany Hall corruption in the 1930s and remains a touchstone for mayors to this day.
—John Avlon, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
The students on Saturday demanded an early election and the rule of law, accusing the government of crime and corruption.
—Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Many observers have said the legal cases against the CHP — mostly centered on corruption allegations — are aimed at neutralizing the party ahead of the next election.
—ABC News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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The octopus had been preserved in formaldehyde, which halts decomposition.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
-
Depending on soil temperature and moisture, the number of microorganisms in the soil, and the carbon content of the wastes, decomposition will occur in one month to one year to feed plant root systems.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Noun
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The car looks stable in slow-speed corners, efficient on straights and unusually gentle on tire degradation — exactly the combination needed to dominate modern Formula 1.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
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The question, experts say, is whether officials can somehow deal with the dangerous chemicals in a way that does not end in a blast or the type of spill that causes environmental degradation.—
Sean Greene,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
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
-
Following this tendency might finally cure us not only of indigestion but also the ancient immorality of eating other organisms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The right-hand side of the picture is dominated by an enormous red-brick arch in a moderate but evident state of decay.—
Tyler Green,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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Rates below 10 to 12 percent raise immediate red flags about list decay or inflated subscriber numbers.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Tackling heavy themes, including guilt and sins of the past, writer-director Rian Johnson crafts a rich story that transcends the surface-level reveals of whodunit.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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Genius and grit can mask a lot of sins.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The Hidden Liability In Your Basement For decades, the physical server room was treated as a necessary evil—rows of network video recorders (NVRs) humming in back offices, consulted only after something went wrong and then forgotten.—
Robert Messer,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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And right now, the Democrats are the lesser of two evils.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
20 May 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
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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 29 May. 2026.
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