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
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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
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
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Recent Examples of corruption
Gullah is possibly a corruption of Angola, a region from which many Africans were seized.
—
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
The longtime media personality took up his government post last year alongside fellow online agitator Kash Patel, and the duo had what must have seemed like a chance to act on their manifold concerns about crime and corruption, the Jeffrey Epstein saga chief among them.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026
There were participants in our cohort who remained rightfully critical of our utopian aims, our spectrum of privilege, and our position as cultural workers living through global extinction, famine, corruption, and violence in all its forms.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In other words, if Hollywood had an awards show for public corruption trials, this case would be at home watching it and moping that it didn’t get nominated.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Eugene Robinson, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
The longtime media personality took up his government post last year alongside fellow online agitator Kash Patel, and the duo had what must have seemed like a chance to act on their manifold concerns about crime and corruption, the Jeffrey Epstein saga chief among them.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 2 Feb. 2026
There were participants in our cohort who remained rightfully critical of our utopian aims, our spectrum of privilege, and our position as cultural workers living through global extinction, famine, corruption, and violence in all its forms.
—Catherine Taft, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In other words, if Hollywood had an awards show for public corruption trials, this case would be at home watching it and moping that it didn’t get nominated.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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The body of a month-old boy found in a duffel bag stuffed in a closet inside his family’s apartment was in an advanced state of decomposition — and his mother told cops her son hadn’t been home for at least two weeks before being arrested for hiding his corpse, prosecutors said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office determined at the time that Schlake drowned, but his body was in such a state of decomposition that officials could not immediately identify him, said Adam Linhardt, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The cold can also freeze liquids, crack containers and prompt chemical degradation.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Grave of the Fireflies is about the horrors and degradations of war.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One celebrates the beauty and moral uplift of the Sabbath; the other denounces the immorality of the godless in the fiery manner of a tent-revival preacher.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
22 Dec. 2025
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Advised by Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell, who sincerely believed in the Reformation, Henry started with accusations of corruption and immorality in the Church, then used intimidation and changes to the law to transfer all the wealth and land to himself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The most visible sign of this decay is the toxic white foam that now coats the surface, a thick layer of sewage and industrial waste that has formed over sections of the river.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Infrastructure decay is perhaps the most visible symptom.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What damages a human being is sin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Natan Sharanksy sat in prison in 1983 for the sin of requesting to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Like the most treacherous toadies from literature — Iago, Wormtongue, Tywin Lannister — Miller managed to shove aside rivals to latch onto his master’s ear and guide him toward more evil.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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The urge to brand those of opposing views as evil and out to destroy the country are too great to resist, sadly.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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 4 Feb. 2026.
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