Synonyms of corruption

corruption

noun

kə-ˈrəp-shən 

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

• decomposition
• decay
• rot
• putrefaction
• spoilage
• fermentation
• putrescence
• breakdown
• disintegration
• festering
• crumbling
• dissolution
• souring
• curdling
• moldering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• growth
• maturation
• ripening

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

• degradation
• corruptness
• dissoluteness
• turpitude
• debasement
• sinfulness
• perversion
• decadence
• degeneracy
• dissipation
• demoralization
• abjection
• evil
• degeneration
• depravity
• debauchery
• decadency
• libertinism
• degenerateness
• pervertedness
• rakishness
• immorality
• dissipatedness
• villainy
• wickedness
• libertinage
• squalor
• rot
• filth
• gangrene

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• virtue
• morality
• goodness
• righteousness

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

• immorality
• sin
• evil
• corruptness
• sinfulness
• evilness
• profligacy
• licentiousness
• depravity
• debauchery
• vice
• badness
• iniquity
• criminality
• libertinism
• bad
• libertinage
• ill
• turpitude
• iniquitousness
• wickedness
• vileness
• villainy
• dissoluteness
• unscrupulousness
• evildoing
• viciousness
• heinousness
• debasement
• villainousness
• degeneracy
• wrong
• perversion
• lewdness
• degeneration
• dissolution
• lasciviousness
• devilry
• meanness
• indecency
• looseness
• taboo
• abomination
• baseness
• fiendishness
• lechery
• dirtiness
• wantonness
• atrociousness
• wretchedness
• lowness
• depravedness
• lousiness
• anathema
• pervertedness
• despicableness
• reprehensibleness
• miserableness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• morality
• virtue
• right
• integrity
• legitimacy
• good
• honesty
• probity
• goodness
• righteousness
• uprightness
• rectitude
• honor
• purity
• scrupulousness
• innocence
• scrupulosity
• perfection
• chastity
• virtuousness
• correctness
• decency
• propriety
• blamelessness
• cleanness
• rightness
• pureness
• spotlessness
• seemliness
• decorousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of corruption

Former mayor Harry Sidhu went to prison on corruption charges, and the two parties never re-engaged on talks. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Russia’s satellite industry has long suffered from chronic underfunding, corruption, production bottlenecks, and reliability problems. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026

Their narrators worry about the corruption of their music scenes by news presenters, magazine writers, major-label scouts, and (for Goetz especially) academics. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Velasco says corruption and low oil prices in the early 2000s contributed to the dilapidated state of Venezuela's facilities. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026