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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
Many complications hinder the process, including Israeli opposition to a Palestinian state, expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the ongoing Gaza conflict, and an aging and corrupt Palestinian leadership, which the US and other Arab nations say requires reform. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 Elliot Richardson, the Attorney General, resigned -- resigned rather than carry out the corrupt orders of the president. ABC News, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Democrats and civil libertarians said Trump corrupted the system of justice by getting involved. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 The last generation of revolutionaries was corrupted by the system. Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for corrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corrupt
Adjective
  • For Capone, this high precedence of pinworm was incredibly surprising, given that the samples were over 1,000 years old and the DNA would have been highly degraded over such a long period of time.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Amazon’s own websites, Prime Video, and Alexa experienced degraded service.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Curing or drying potatoes thickens their skins, allows minor cuts and abrasions to heal, and makes spuds less likely to rot or shrivel in storage.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Gutters provide easy access to your home, and clogs can create moisture that leads to rotting wood that termites like.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In their world, which is also ours, selfhood has degraded into taste, preferences, demography, and outlays of attention and money.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Unsubstantiated rumors still swirl online and in county meetings that wind, solar and battery storage facilities will degrade the environment, destroy rural culture and lower property values.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But the company’s owner, Ana Chretien, is a close ally and business associate of Mario Juarez, who this news organization has previously reported to be a co-conspirator in an alleged scheme to bribe the former mayor.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t bribe—empathize Bribing picky eaters with dessert is a common tactic parents use to get to the end of the meal.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Star began writing about the concerns at Warren Hills in March, detailing how for years that teachers, staff and parents have been worried that something at the school may be making teachers and staff sick.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Although Hahne's daughter lived close enough to remain at home, Hahne made connections with families staying in the Ronald McDonald House while their sick children received care from Children's Hospital.
    Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Protect your home by removing decaying wood, controlling moisture, and cleaning gutters and overgrowth.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • At a tannery, the raw animal hide goes through a series of chemical and mechanical treatments to remove hair, fat and flesh before a tanning agent is added to the hide to prevent it from decaying.
    Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But in 2023, Meloni’s government struck an agreement with Albania – a non-EU country – to build controversial migrant detention centers and subvert the EU agreement.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The ruched toe boxes are another style that playfully subverts the classic loafer design, offering an unfussy ease that helps soften more masculine tailoring.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Poulaines hurt the wearer’s feet and could make their toe bones crooked.
    Michael Watson, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Barry Cooper, the colorful former police officer turned scourge of crooked cops, couldn’t attend the screening of a new film about him at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Arkansas.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Corrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corrupt. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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