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 However, the city council ultimately canceled the $320 million sale in 2022, in response to an FBI investigation into corruption in Anaheim. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Most important, weak states will need to tamp down local corruption and illicit mining by encouraging transparent transactions, judicial reforms, and enforcement of rules and regulations. — Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 The demonstrations were seen as a reflection of their anger over corruption in education, a lack of opportunities and unemployment. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026 The commission was created in 1990 after a wave of political corruption scandals engulfed Mayor Tom Bradley’s administration. — Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 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
  • According to the medical examiner's office, the bodies were improperly stored at the funeral home and were in various states of decomposition at the time.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Investigators and forensic pathologists who responded found remains in various states of decomposition.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of decomposition
Noun
  • There could be IoT solution or sensor degradation, connectivity issues and hallucinations because of poor update procedures and more.
    — Punnam Raju Manthena, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • However, its natural habitat is at risk of degradation because of human activities such as aquaculture, conversion of forest and wetlands into farmlands, and infrastructure development.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 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
  • By tracking these positrons, researchers could determine their vertical decay angles and search for the tiny signal expected from an EDM.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Many lines of research align with the theory that aging is a direct result of decay — the inevitable degradation of molecules (including proteins or DNA), organelles, cells, or whole organs — from external assault or inexorable breakdown.
    — Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • Fans of improv, musicals and audience participation will thoroughly enjoy this performance and should be prepared to repent for sins like eating a hamburger, owning too many snakes or yearning for a younger man.
    — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Where death’s grey skies loom large, the 2000s are portrayed in silvery black and white while ancient action takes place in vibrant colors, with Dante’s tale of sin and justice rolled into one story.
    — A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But for Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), the local personalities pale in comparison to the evils lurking beneath the cursed island’s surface.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Venom dunking Who would win in a basketball game, Spider-Man or his evil doppelgänger Venom?
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on corruption

Nglish: Translation of corruption for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corruption

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