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
Synonyms
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
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
Terry heads to the courthouse to report the cops and get his money back, and a plot unfolds that wraps up local politics, issues of civil forfeiture and corruption.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
In the aftermath of Adams’ indictment on bribery and corruption charges two weeks after those comments, the mayor’s top advisors and closest allies, from his schools chancellor to his police commissioner, were pushed to resign.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for corruption 
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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
Terry heads to the courthouse to report the cops and get his money back, and a plot unfolds that wraps up local politics, issues of civil forfeiture and corruption.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024
In the aftermath of Adams’ indictment on bribery and corruption charges two weeks after those comments, the mayor’s top advisors and closest allies, from his schools chancellor to his police commissioner, were pushed to resign.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for corruption
Dictionary Entries Near corruption
Cite this Entry
“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corruption. Accessed 13 Jan. 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
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