corruption

American  

[kuh-ruhp-shuhn] / kəˈrʌp ʃən /

noun

1. the act of corrupting or state of being corrupt.

   Antonyms:

   purity

2. moral perversion; depravity.

   Synonyms:

   immorality, dissolution

   Antonyms:

   purity

3. perversion of integrity.

   Antonyms:

   honesty, purity

4. corrupt or dishonest proceedings.

   Antonyms:

   honesty

5. bribery.

6. debasement or alteration, as of language or a text.

7. a debased form of a word.

8. putrefactive decay; rottenness.

   Synonyms:

   contamination, pollution, foulness, putrescence, putrefaction, rot

9. any corrupting influence or agency.

10. Computers. the state of being compromised by errors in computer code or stored data, or an action that causes such errors.

    The system crash was the result of previously undetected data corruption.

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corruption British  

/ kəˈrʌpʃən /

noun

1. the act of corrupting or state of being corrupt

2. moral perversion; depravity

3. dishonesty, esp bribery

4. putrefaction or decay

5. alteration, as of a manuscript

6. an altered form of a word

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Usage

What does corruption mean? Corruption most commonly refers to a state in which members of organizations or institutions are engaging in illegal or otherwise dishonest practices to benefit themselves. The term is most often used in the context of such rulebreaking by people who are powerful or who are responsible for the well-being of others, such as politicians, government officials, and police officers. Corruption is a noun form of corrupt, which can be an adjective used to describe people who act in this way (or their actions), or a verb meaning to destroy the integrity of someone or something or cause someone to be dishonest. More generally, corruption can refer to the act or process of someone or something becoming corrupt, depraved, or debased. More specifically, corruption can refer to the alteration of a word or text in a way that deviates from its original or intended form. Example: The investigation revealed a long history of corruption within the agency that extends to its highest ranks. 

Other Word Forms

• anticorruption
  noun
• corruptionist
  noun
• overcorruption
  noun
• precorruption
  noun

Etymology

Origin of corruption

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English cor(r)upcio(u)n, from Middle French, from Latin corruptiōn-, stem of corruptiō; see origin at corrupt, -ion

Explanation

Corruption is dishonest action that destroys people's trust. News of corruption at your bank might make you close your account and invest your money somewhere else. The noun corruption comes from Latin — com, meaning "with, together," and rumpere, meaning "to break." Engaging in corruption can "break" or destroy someone's trustworthiness and good reputation with others. For example, news of corruption in the mayor's office might cause shock and lead to the election of a new mayor. When you corrupt something that is pure or honest, you take away those qualities. That's why "corruption of minors" is a serious offense in our legal system.

Example Sentences

A former Jack Smith prosecutor and a veteran corruption reporter map the vectors for lawlessness that many have missed.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

Rather, it’s a pragmatic game of connecting the dots, revealing a damning picture of widespread corruption.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

He also faces a separate corruption trial in Abuja over allegations of fraud involving 31bn naira.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Magyar said Poland had much to teach Hungary about how to restore the rule of law, fight corruption and unblock EU funds.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Opposing them were the Half-Breeds, who considered Grant a losing candidate because many voters had become disgusted by the scandals and corruption during his time in office.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• bribery
• crime
• exploitation
• extortion
• fraud
• graft
• malfeasance
• nepotism