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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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 The high salaries are meant to attract ⁠top talent ​and prevent corruption, and cases of graft have been rare. — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026 The Southeast Asian nation has long justified its generous political salaries as an important measure to curb corruption, which is rampant among some neighboring countries. — John Liu, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Over the course of Gulliver’s four voyages to fantastical lands, Swift gives the reader wild and varied depictions of political corruption and human hubris. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 An incumbent senator, a former senator and several ex-government engineers and public works officials as well as wealthy construction executives have been detained while facing trial on corruption charges. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 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
  • High humidity and sweltering heat accelerated decomposition, compounding the challenges as health experts warned that leaving the remains exposed could increase the risk of disease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The display was set up by police, with authorities saying some of the bodies recovered from the floods were in an advanced state of decomposition, making physical identification difficult.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of decomposition
Noun
  • Oil theft is common in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, where decades of oil exploration have led to high levels of poverty and environmental degradation.
    — Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Persistent organic pollutants are toxic organic chemicals, usually synthetic but occasionally occurring naturally, that resist environmental degradation, persist in the environment for decades, and can be transported over long distances.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of degradation
Noun
  • Since the middle of the twentieth century, societies around the globe have undergone a collective revolution in standards and attitudes towards obscenity and immorality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of immorality
Noun
  • Ewa Mroczkowska’s production design also turns dewy embankments, decadent interiors, and sunrises over cemeteries into visions of storybook-like decay.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • One of them in particular, portrayed with vicious snark by Vicky Krieps, revels in the moral decay of her times, thirsting for blood.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • Any union that turns a blind eye when their own members commit that same sin is an embarrassment to organized labor.
    — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • For one thing covetousness, as opposed to the more concrete sins like theft or murder or adultery, is a thought crime, and almost all that goes on here, happens within the minds of the characters.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Tehran has accepted inflation as a necessary evil to maintain its own spending.
    — Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Anna is a character who could easily be labeled unpleasant, mean and evil.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corruption

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