corruption
noun
cor·rup·tion
kə-ˈrəp-shən 
1
a
: dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people (such as government officials or police officers) : depravity
b
: inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (such as bribery)
the corruption of government officials
c
: a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct
the corruption of a text
the corruption of computer files
d
: decay, decomposition
the corruption of a carcass
2
chiefly dialectal
: pus
3
archaic
: an agency or influence that corrupts
Examples of corruption in a Sentence
There are rumors of widespread corruption in the city government.
the mafia's corruption of public officials
corruption of the English language
computer software that is supposed to prevent the corruption of files
the corruption of a text
Recent Examples on the Web
Boland states that a comprehensive charter is needed to address Chicago’s continuing climate of political corruption.
—
Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Blatter, 89, and Platini, 69, had been facing a charge of corruption at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court before being cleared, according to a statement to The Athletic from their lawyer, having previously been cleared of fraud more than two years ago.
—Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The growing pace of space as a commercial resource brings with it the prospect for misdeeds, corruption, piracy, and war.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Prior to her appointment, Aber served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime and child exploitation cases as well as being the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the district.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
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.
Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Blatter, 89, and Platini, 69, had been facing a charge of corruption at the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court before being cleared, according to a statement to The Athletic from their lawyer, having previously been cleared of fraud more than two years ago.
—Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
The growing pace of space as a commercial resource brings with it the prospect for misdeeds, corruption, piracy, and war.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Prior to her appointment, Aber served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecuting financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime and child exploitation cases as well as being the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division for the district.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corruption. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
corruption
noun
cor·rup·tion
kə-ˈrəp-shən
1
: physical decay or rotting
2
: dishonest or evil behavior
3
: the causing of someone else to do wrong (as by bribery)
4
: a change from the original or for the worse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share