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
Relevance
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
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
With a different school as the backdrop for each chapter, the series probes the ambitions, secrets, and corruptions that fester within institutions.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026
Last year’s protests against corruption and poor governance were triggered by a social media ban before building into a popular revolt against the government.
—Binaj Gurubacharya, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
There’s also some of the content that’s emerged that really [highlights] activism at its highest level to show the exploitation and corruption that’s occurring on our planet.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Last year's protests against corruption and poor governance were triggered by a social media ban before snowballing into a popular revolt against the government.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2026
Last year’s protests against corruption and poor governance were triggered by a social media ban before building into a popular revolt against the government.
—Binaj Gurubacharya, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
There’s also some of the content that’s emerged that really [highlights] activism at its highest level to show the exploitation and corruption that’s occurring on our planet.
—Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
Last year's protests against corruption and poor governance were triggered by a social media ban before snowballing into a popular revolt against the government.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
-
Non-archaeological methods, such as DNA sequencing and computer modeling, could help track the human footprint in environments such as humid, tropical climates of Southeast Asia, where conditions accelerate the decomposition of remains.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
-
For the best results, chop up the peels before composting to speed up their decomposition and help prevent pest issues.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If Wyatt and Surrey could pen brilliant sonnets under Tudor tyranny, then certainly great art can be produced under capitalism despite its particular degradations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Major degradation to their ability to produce the ballistic missiles that have been striking so many of their Gulf neighbors, Israel and elsewhere.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rather, a lengthy process can be initiated to remove a member from office for gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, drunkenness, or other misconduct, the Ohio School Board Association stated.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Many cracked and leaked from decades of decay, letting rain in and worsening backups that surge through maintenance hole covers, drain into city rivers and flow into basements.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That debt has been settled in full by five decades of theocratic brutality and economic decay.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To soak up the sins of the early morning dancefloor, kudos must be paid to the 24-hour room service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The world of anime has seen all kinds of heroes step up to battle evil, but Rooster Fighter, based on a web manga by Shū Sakuratani, brings some hot chicken to the plate.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Some labor leaders were privately rooting for Paramount as the least of two evils, concerned about the impact that Netflix, historically not a friend to movie theaters, would have on the theatrical ecosystem.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
