corruption

noun

cor·​rup·​tion kə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce corruption (audio)
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
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.
Although Russia has struggled to embrace startup culture, the big contractors have a stranglehold on the supply process; corruption is endemic, and the military know who to buy from. David Hambling, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 The council has been target of calls for a reconfiguration following its lack of action on the corruption allegations, dissatisfaction with many of its decisions and the escalating gang violence. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 There are corruption scandals, whisper campaigns, and possible bribery afoot, just like with those gossipy Vatican queens. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025 Removing and replacing up to 50,000 career civil servants with political loyalists smacks of corruption Americans won’t tolerate. Laura Rodriguez, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for corruption 

Word History

Etymology

see corrupt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of corruption was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near corruption

Cite this Entry

“Corruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corruption. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

corruption

noun
cor·​rup·​tion kə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce corruption (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on corruption

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