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
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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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of corruption
The level of hubris that overtook Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her first-line officials could partially explain the pervasiveness of explicit corruption all the way to the upper echelons of government.
—
Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Then-Auburn assistant Chuck Person was implicated in the FBI’s investigation into corruption in college basketball in September 2017, and the school fired him two months later.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Aliyev has maintained power through electoral fraud, widespread corruption, and the arrest and torture of political opponents and journalists.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
But endemic corruption, economic crises, the Beirut explosion and the collapse of the government reversed those gains.
—Aryn Baker, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for corruption 
Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Then-Auburn assistant Chuck Person was implicated in the FBI’s investigation into corruption in college basketball in September 2017, and the school fired him two months later.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Aliyev has maintained power through electoral fraud, widespread corruption, and the arrest and torture of political opponents and journalists.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
But endemic corruption, economic crises, the Beirut explosion and the collapse of the government reversed those gains.
—Aryn Baker, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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Refrigeration can slow down the degradation of certain products, keeping them good-to-use just a little bit longer.Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2024
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Despite the degradation caused by the passage of time and human activity, investigations enabled the identification of the ship's type, dimensions, construction method, the most likely construction date and remnants of its cargo.Newsweek, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The film cares more for Romy’s enveloping sense of self than the depths of her immorality.Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
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What captivated me about the series was its unwillingness to sugarcoat the immorality of man.Jason Parham, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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It has been known to help oral health by preventing tooth decay and cavities, especially in children.Devika Rao, theweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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Not only does topping a crape myrtle turn it into an eyesore, but these brutal pruning cuts can cause disease and decay to set into the wood.Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And when one of the most romantic gestures to happen on television this year occurs — Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), who not long before had begged Mariko to live for him, steps up to be her second, to free her of that sin and deal the final blow — her gratitude and love for him is palpable.Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
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Traversing the Holy Door is one way that the faithful can obtain indulgences, or forgiveness for sins during a Jubilee, a once-every-quarter-century tradition that dates from 1300.Pilar Arias, Fox News, 25 Dec. 2024
Noun
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All our sufferings must therefore be lesser evils that somehow serve to bring about a greater good.Anthony Gottlieb, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
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It was seen as a temporary evil while balancing between the West and the Soviet Union.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Post-match, head coach Julen Lopetegui lamented West Ham’s profligacy.Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
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For decades, the leaders of both parties had tolerated mind-boggling levels of corruption, waste, and administrative bloat, enabling a culture of profligacy that subsidized the federal bureaucracy and crony capitalists at the expense of hard-working American taxpayers.Michael Glassner and John Pence, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near corruption
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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