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Showing results for corruption. Search instead for legal corruption.
Definitions

corruption

[kuh-ruhp-shuhn] / kəˈrʌp ʃən /
NOUN
dishonesty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bribery crime exploitation extortion fraud graft malfeasance nepotism
STRONG
crookedness demoralization jobbery misrepresentation payoff payola racket shadiness shuffle skimming squeeze unscrupulousness venality
WEAK
breach of trust bribing fiddling fraudulency on the take profiteering shady deal
Antonyms
WEAK
cleanliness cleanness decency goodness honesty honor kindness pureness purification purity sterility truthfulness wholesomeness
NOUN
baseness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atrocity degradation evil
STRONG
decadence degeneration depravity immorality impurity infamy iniquity looseness lubricity perversion profligacy sinfulness turpitude vice viciousness vulgarity wickedness
Antonyms
STRONG
good goodness morality virtue
WEAK
cleanliness cleanness decency honesty honor kindness pureness purification purity sterility truthfulness wholesomeness
NOUN
adulteration
Synonyms
STRONGEST
pollution
STRONG
debasement decay defilement distortion falsification foulness infection noxiousness putrefaction putrescence rot rottenness
WEAK
doctoring
Antonyms
STRONG
development growth
WEAK
cleanliness cleanness decency goodness honesty honor kindness pureness purification purity sterility truthfulness wholesomeness

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.

On March 18, Dakar called for an international investigation into "allegations of corruption within the CAF leadership" in a statement that sent a chill through Morocco.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

He doubled down on his accusations of corruption, releasing a secret recording made of a conversation with his ex-wife in 2023 in which she speaks about a high-profile trial.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The DOJ shut down over 60 union corruption and labor racketeering cases, 2.5 times the number in Trump’s first term.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

But U.S. firms proved reluctant due to the company’s tarnished reputation, in addition to Congo’s poor infrastructure, limited skilled labor, resource nationalism and reputation for government corruption.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

My dear countrymen, the aim of the Revolutionary Council is to establish a nation free from corruption and internal strife.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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