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 Many demonstrators saw Ueno’s collapse not just as the result of risky banking but as a case study in official corruption. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 The challenge for Democrats will be to continue to tie corruption to the affordability issues that topped the list of concerns for voters. — Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026 Talarico, a state legislator and Presbyterian seminarian, ran on affordability and corruption. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026 People seem to have had it with the reign of corruption and lawlessness. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 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
  • Within an hour of searching the park, the city’s largest, police had found the body of a woman as well, this one in an advanced state of decomposition, leaving her unrecognizable.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • There is the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau on an island in the Loire Valley, plagued by flooding, as well as the opposite—receding water levels that expose its wooden, foundational beams to air and decomposition.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of decomposition
Noun
  • Another factor is the degradation of Russia’s refinery infrastructure, which has sustained considerable damage from Ukrainian attacks.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Oxford Economics found that 47% of technology leaders said customers are often the first to detect service degradation or outages.
    — Rohan Joshi, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 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
  • But he was plagued by guilt over his ancestor’s role in the trials, and felt compelled to explore themes of human character, greed, and social decay through his work.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • About 1 in 5 adults ages 20 to 64 has at least one untreated cavity, and nearly all adults 65 and older have dealt with tooth decay at some point, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • Some would argue that Paxton’s sins are more exotic than those of your ordinary Texan.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Just before the Devil drawing is a churchman’s confession of a lengthy list of sins.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • For communities across Sacramento and California, Diwali — the ancient Hindu Festival of Lights — comes with its joyful tradition of illumination to symbolize good over evil, but this year’s celebration is marked with a shadow of disappointment.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That is what makes the stalking statute similar to the murder statute in terms of the evils or harms both are looking to prevent.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 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 6 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corruption

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