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Definitions

corrupt

[kuh-ruhpt] / kəˈrʌpt /
ADJECTIVE
dishonest
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crooked fraudulent nefarious rotten shady unethical unscrupulous untrustworthy venal
STRONG
base bent debauched exploiting fixed foul open padded profiteering reprobate suborned tainted
WEAK
bribable double-dealing extortionate faithless fast and loose gone to the dogs inconstant iniquitous knavish mercenary on the take perfidious praetorian racket up snide treacherous two-faced underhanded unfaithful unprincipled wide open
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ethical good honest honorable moral respectable trustworthy
STRONG
clean pure
WEAK
decent helpful high kind noble principled purified sound truthful uncorrupt upright wholesome
ADJECTIVE
debased, vicious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boorish depraved evil nefarious rotten
STRONG
abandoned abased degenerate degraded dishonored loose low
WEAK
baneful deleterious dissolute flagitious infamous miscreant monstrous perverse profligate villainous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decent good honest honorable moral uncorrupt upright virtuous
WEAK
clean helpful high kind noble principled pure purified sound trustworthy truthful wholesome
ADJECTIVE
adulterated, rotten
Synonyms
STRONG
altered contaminated decayed defiled distorted doctored falsified foul infected polluted tainted
WEAK
noxious putrescent putrid
Antonyms
STRONG
clean pure
WEAK
decent helpful high honest honorable kind noble principled purified sound trustworthy truthful uncorrupt upright wholesome
VERB
pervert; pollute
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bribe contaminate debase degrade demean demoralize harm impair misuse ruin subvert taint undermine violate warp
STRONG
abase abuse adulterate animalize bastardize blemish blight damage debauch decay decompose deface defile deform deprave depreciate despoil disfigure disgrace dishonor fix hurt ill-treat infect injure lower lure maltreat mar mistreat outrage putrefy ravage reduce rot spoil square stain suborn vitiate waste
WEAK
grease palm pull down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist boost clean elevate enhance help honor improve obey purify upgrade
STRONG
adorn approve beautify benefit bless build cherish cleanse commend compliment cure decorate develop embellish esteem exalt favor flourish grow heal ignore increase laud mend neglect ornament please praise preserve protect raise repair respect save strengthen treat well
WEAK
better chasten dignify

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Now, you could be careful and it’s still going to corrupt your words.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

"I didn't become a police officer to serve a corrupt system. To help cover things up."

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Public frustration is high: "Even the police are corrupt," says Karen Santiago, a 29-year-old engineer in Lima's San Isidro district, echoing the sense of impunity driving support for hardline promises.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Instead, it is wholly contingent and circumstantial, defined by what serves his own self-interest and corrupt needs and wants at any given moment.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026

So if sumo wrestlers, schoolteachers, and day-care parents all cheat, are we to assume that mankind is innately and universally corrupt?

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.