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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corruption
If Paxton secures the nomination, it will likely be driven by the unwavering support of the GOP’s grassroots base, the same coalition that helped revive his political standing after he was impeached and later acquitted on corruption charges by the Texas legislature three years ago.
—
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
But today, their company Lehman Brothers — which catastrophically collapsed in bankruptcy in 2008 — is remembered as a textbook case for the pitfalls of unchecked greed, corruption and moral bankruptcy.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In Cuba today, Marxist bromides serve as nothing more than rhetorical cover for corruption.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
In Pinellas County, a grand jury in 1987 issued a presentment finding corruption in the Tarpon Springs police department and recommended it be disbanded.
—Lawrence Mower, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
But today, their company Lehman Brothers — which catastrophically collapsed in bankruptcy in 2008 — is remembered as a textbook case for the pitfalls of unchecked greed, corruption and moral bankruptcy.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
In Cuba today, Marxist bromides serve as nothing more than rhetorical cover for corruption.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
In Pinellas County, a grand jury in 1987 issued a presentment finding corruption in the Tarpon Springs police department and recommended it be disbanded.
—Lawrence Mower, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for corruption
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corruption
Noun
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The system begins by preprocessing battery data using a technique called complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
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In addition, warmer water temperatures and the decomposition of organic material can promote bacterial growth.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Using a combination of durable ceramic materials and specialized membranes, the filtration unit can remove extremely small contaminants while maintaining stable operation through a self-cleaning thermal mechanism that prevents buildup and degradation over time.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
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Coupled with a significant degradation of Iranian military power, something already underway, these objectives would constitute an acceptable end to the war.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Rather, a lengthy process can be initiated to remove a member from office for gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, drunkenness, or other misconduct, the Ohio School Board Association stated.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Mar. 2026
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Courteney Cox‘s dogged reporter/stand-in for media immorality Gale Weathers will naturally be on the scene once again, as well a host of recurring characters, fan favorites, and old faces from all six of the previous entries.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If a single atom of that sample decays, the vial breaks, and the cat dies.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
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The universe, however, consists of matter but almost no antimatter, which exists naturally only in small quantities, created by radioactive decay and cosmic ray collisions.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whatever Heidegger’s political sins, his philosophy restores a clarity our therapeutic culture fears.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
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And second, airing poor behavior within a community can normalize it so that others feel less compunction about their own sins.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Money and jealousy are the root of the play’s evils, with more deadly sins released in a world of posh, uppity arrogance.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Its themes of kindness and resilience, of steadfast courage against evil, remain a source of inspiration for these readers, even as their feelings about the books are complicated by so much baggage.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
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This lawless crew shares dramaturgical DNA with the vice figures from medieval morality plays, personifications of sinfulness who would confide their schemes to the audience and make theatergoers their co-conspirators in a riveting game that obviously left its mark on a young Shakespeare.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That was really what helped me into the character and into her evilness.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corruption. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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