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corrupt

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective corrupt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of corrupt are degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When might degenerate be a better fit than corrupt?

The meanings of degenerate and corrupt largely overlap; however, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than corrupt?

Although the words iniquitous and corrupt have much in common, iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can nefarious take the place of corrupt?

The synonyms nefarious and corrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

When would vicious be a good substitute for corrupt?

While in some cases nearly identical to corrupt, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When can villainous be used instead of corrupt?

While the synonyms villainous and corrupt are close in meaning, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

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 corrupt
Adjective
One of them is corrupt politician Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker), who longs to reconcile with his estranged son, Charlie (Justin Cornwell). Andy Crump, Time, 26 Apr. 2025 He’s been accused of entering into a corrupt deal with the Trump administration, helping the president’s immigration agenda in exchange for his federal corruption case getting dropped. Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
Stuart Miller, Boynton Beach Seven memorable words Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2025 The show followed an ensemble of one-percenters at the titular resort in Hawaii, observing how their privilege blinds them to reality and corrupts everyone around them, leading to conflicts, cruelty, and, eventually, violence. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corrupt
Adjective
  • The Freshwater Challenge is an initiative of countries—currently 49 countries plus the European Union—that have committed to collectively restoring 300,000 kilometers of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands.
    Jeff Opperman, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The resulting service gaps leave service providers relying on alternate methods that in many places result in a degraded customer interaction.
    Glenn Katz, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury was the final blow, the last solid piece of the Good Ship Giannis that was keeping it afloat long after the rest of the rotting ship was overrun with rats.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Such molds can grow on a variety of fruits, including apples, especially rotting ones.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Placing the wrong items in the recycling bin can damage recycling equipment or degrade the recycling process.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025
  • Trump stated that the Houthis requested the ceasefire after his administration had successfully degraded the group's capabilities.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Those defendants either stated outright or alluded to the fact that their group was bribing multiple CBP officers, the investigating agent wrote.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Then when the students wouldn’t show up, the brass would bribe them with pizzas once a year.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Without the vaccine, these 22 million Americans could get sick, hospitalized and even die.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • Chihuahua health officials trace their first case to an 8-year-old Mennonite child who visited family in Seminole, got sick and spread the virus at school.
    DEVI SHASTRI, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Employing nostalgic tropes as embodied by Orbison’s songs subverts those movies from their own cinematic tradition, thus marking a departure from standard film noir.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 3 May 2025
  • His unlawful actions have subverted the justice system, violated the separation of powers, and placed personal power and self-interest above public service.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Evans' latest film, Havoc, stars Tom Hardy as Walker, an unsavory fixer tasked with protecting the son of real estate tycoon Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker) after the kid stumbles into a plot involving the Yakuza, crooked cops, and other assorted goons.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Rooker plays Steve, a crooked detective with a ruthless streak who holds the key to Hammer’s only weakness.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Corrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corrupt. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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