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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 Three people have been arrested as part of a federal crackdown targeting homelessness corruption. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Before becoming a reporter, Benitez was an investigative producer at WFOR-TV and worked on stories on Medicare fraud, public safety and government corruption. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 In 2025, Madigan was convicted on federal corruption charges involving schemes that used his political power to steer business to his law firm. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026 While Zvyagintsev notices Minotaur playing uniquely from place to place, its chilly, incisive power — its brutal commentary on love and betrayal, loyalty and corruption — still resonates on a universal level. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 14 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
  • Both bodies appeared to be in different stages of decomposition.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The body that was recovered in Olifantsfontein on Tuesday was found naked and in an advanced stage of decomposition.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of decomposition
Noun
  • Plus, the prototype cells showed almost zero degradation over 1,160 hours at a simulated depth of 10 meters off the Weizhou Islands in the South China Sea.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, select a narrow, high-ROI operational challenge, such as predicting transformer degradation or detecting unannounced EV chargers.
    — Abhay Gupta, Forbes.com, 10 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
  • So lets unpack all the sins and consequences, starting with those tied to the case John just closed.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Some Jews may pray near a body of water in a Tashlich ceremony, tossing pieces of bread or other food into the water to symbolize sending off sins.
    — Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • In my ideal world there would be dozens of essay collections by excellent writers (Choi is a poet) on culture and politics, technology and the evils of capitalism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Early in the outbreak, Tedros talked about having visited the outbreak zone and being struck by the fact that many people seemed to view Ebola as a lesser of evils.
    — Helen Branswell, STAT, 16 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on corruption

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about corruption

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