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corrupt

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective corrupt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of corrupt are degenerate, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct," corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

city hall was rife with corrupt politicians

When might degenerate be a better fit than corrupt?

The meanings of degenerate and corrupt largely overlap; however, degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

a degenerate regime propped up by foreign powers

When is iniquitous a more appropriate choice than corrupt?

Although the words iniquitous and corrupt have much in common, iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

an iniquitous system of taxation

In what contexts can nefarious take the place of corrupt?

The synonyms nefarious and corrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

the nefarious rackets of organized crime

When would vicious be a good substitute for corrupt?

While in some cases nearly identical to corrupt, vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

a vicious gangster

When can villainous be used instead of corrupt?

While the synonyms villainous and corrupt are close in meaning, villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

a villainous assault

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of corrupt
Adjective
Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025 These days, nothing infuriates liberals more than to be lectured about the American plutocracy — not when Trump is perhaps the most brazenly corrupt president to hold the office in modern history. Alexander Heffner, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025
Verb
Such problems, including outright fraud, corrupted hundreds of studies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ferric C. Fang, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2025 Absolute power may corrupt absolutely, but absolute wealth can separate the wealthy from reality. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for corrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corrupt
Adjective
  • These systems use signals that are orders of magnitude stronger than satellite signals and can serve as a resilient backup when GPS is degraded or unavailable.
    Mariam Sorond, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • Additionally, about 6,600 acres of degraded coastal land will be improved to provide a third buffer against coastal storms and erosion processes.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Don’t constantly flood the new grass as this can lead to rot problems especially in shady spots.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • Since then, the infestation has worsened, the complaint says, with students at times finding decomposing and rotting mice under the sinks.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Use of this material has been proposed in the past, but has been hampered by the fact that making CNTs involves metals, and the residue left behind ends up degrading electrical performance.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Further, Israel’s previous attacks on Iran in April and October 2024 managed to degrade Iran’s ballistic and surface-to-air missiles and air defense radar systems.
    Javed Ali, The Conversation, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors allege Pham was a friend and associate of Do, who served as an OC supervisor from 2015 until Do resigned in October as part of his plea agreement, and Pham bribed Do in the form of payments to his two daughters.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
  • Ralph Olarte and Humberto Lopez Belmonte bribed officials and cartels to smuggle goods into Mexico, avoiding customs duties for over a decade, federal prosecutors say.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is another current salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers that has already left 45 people sick and 16 hospitalized across 18 states.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Some of the samples tested positive for Salmonella and additional testing found that the samples were closely related to the Salmonella found in sick people.
    Amber Brenza, Health, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Relative to previous presidents, Trump is much more willing to ignore the country’s interests and pursue goals that openly subvert them.
    Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
  • Both underscore how well this series, at its best, generates suspense from editing, while either subverting expectations or diabolically playing on common fears.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, a crooked wayfarer named St. Christophe (Jackson) is hot on Broadway’s trail, catching up with the young man and revealing that his dead dad wasn’t, in fact, a stand-up guy.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025
  • From viral LinkedIn mantras to inspirational TED Talks, authenticity is praised as the antidote to crooked leaders, political doublespeak, and robotic managerialism, not to mention phony politicians.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Corrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corrupt. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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