Corruption
/kəˈrʌpʃən/
Definitions
3 meaningsDishonest or fraudulent behavior, especially by people in power. This often involves bribery or abuse of authority.
/kəˈrʌpʃən/
Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.
The scandal exposed corruption at the highest levels of the company.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone in charge using their power dishonestly for personal gain, like taking bribes or cheating. It's like a game where the rules are broken on purpose, and it makes things unfair.
👶 For kids: When grown-ups in charge do bad things to get money or power.
More Examples
The new anti-corruption laws are intended to reduce bribery and fraud.
The journalist's investigation into government corruption led to several arrests.
How It's Used
"The investigation uncovered widespread corruption within the government."
"The company was accused of corruption for bribing officials to secure contracts."
"The judge was removed from the bench due to charges of corruption."
Moral decay or the abandonment of moral principles.
/kəˈrʌpʃən/
Moral perversion; depravity.
The protagonist's journey was marked by the corruption of his ideals.
💡 Simply: When a person's values and good behavior start to go bad, it's like their insides have gotten a little messy. It's when someone does things that are wrong or mean on purpose.
👶 For kids: When people's thoughts and feelings get bad.
More Examples
The novel explored the societal corruption caused by unchecked power.
He attributed the city's decline to the moral corruption of its leaders.
How It's Used
"The novel explores the corruption of the human soul by greed and ambition."
"Some philosophers believe that power inevitably leads to corruption."
The process by which something deteriorates or decays, especially the decomposition of organic matter. Can also be used in the figurative sense of a moral breakdown.
/kəˈrʌpʃən/
The process of decay or decomposition, especially of organic matter.
The exposed food quickly succumbed to corruption.
💡 Simply: When something starts to break down and rot, like food left out too long or a tree that is dying. It's when things start to change and get worse.
👶 For kids: When things start to rot or go bad.
More Examples
The body showed signs of corruption several days after death.
The prolonged drought accelerated the corruption of the soil.
How It's Used
"The process of decomposition and corruption of organic matter released foul odors."
"The corruption of the landfill resulted in groundwater contamination."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a hotbed of corruption
A place where corruption is very common.
"The city was known as a hotbed of corruption, where bribery was a way of life."
to corrupt someone
to cause someone to act dishonestly
"The politician's actions were seen as an attempt to corrupt the democratic process."
From Latin *corruptio* ('a breaking, spoiling, destruction'), from the verb *corrumpere* ('to destroy, spoil, bribe'), formed from *com-* (with, together) + *rumpere* (to break). The word entered English in the late 14th century.
The word 'corruption' has been used since the late 14th century to describe both moral decay and dishonest practices. Its usage has consistently reflected societal concerns about integrity and ethical behavior.
Memory tip
Think of a rotten apple – corruption spoils something good, just like a rotten apple.
Word Origin
"to break, destroy, spoil, or bribe"