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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corruption
Along with that case closing with the help of undercover FBI agent Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), drug smuggling, human trafficking and corruption among the border patrol is brought to heel by tribal police sergeant Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten).
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Decades of mismanagement and corruption scandals had taken their toll.
—Bernhard Warner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
When the Department of Justice moved to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the chambers of the U.S. District Judge Dale Ho turned to a lawyer at a large firm for an independent assessment, according to a source familiar with the episode.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration is substantially scaling back the State Department's annual reports on international human rights to remove longstanding critiques of abuses such as harsh prison conditions, government corruption and restrictions on participation in the political process, NPR has learned.
—Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Decades of mismanagement and corruption scandals had taken their toll.
—Bernhard Warner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
When the Department of Justice moved to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the chambers of the U.S. District Judge Dale Ho turned to a lawyer at a large firm for an independent assessment, according to a source familiar with the episode.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration is substantially scaling back the State Department's annual reports on international human rights to remove longstanding critiques of abuses such as harsh prison conditions, government corruption and restrictions on participation in the political process, NPR has learned.
—Graham Smith, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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Beyond infrastructure strain, our information environment also shows signs of degradation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2025
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All penguins face threats created by climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The film cares more for Romy’s enveloping sense of self than the depths of her immorality.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
-
During the mid-credits scene, there are several reflections on Sammie’s life as a young man, plus a tempting offer from the vampires to give the elderly bluesman immorality.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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One hundred and thirteen years later, much of the great vessel — and what’s left of its splendors — remains in the same spot it was found four decades ago in 1985, though decay and human interference have changed its form over time.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Water fluoridation has been proven to be so effective at preventing tooth decay that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named it one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, a time during which Americans' life expectancies rose by 30 years.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This represents that a person belongs to Jesus Christ and that a person is grieving and morning for their sins.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
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If a teacher required a student who believes that being gay is a sin to write an essay repudiating that belief, for example, that would be unconstitutional.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lucas loved the idealistic adventure reels of the ’30s and ’40s where good and evil were divided by a fresh coat of paint.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
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Unfortunately for Smoke, Stack, Slim and their friends, an epic first evening turns into a bloody nightmare when evil comes knocking.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But while profligacy was the bigger issue under their previous manager, chance creation has taken over that mantle under Amorim.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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Many will point to Nazareth, who entered the fray at the hour mark along with Andreia Jacinto and Lucia Alves, as the key to Portugal reducing England to a cardboard box in the rain, as well as the visitors’ own profligacy.—
Megan Feringa,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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