corruption
kuh-RUHP-shuhn
Corruption (noun) means Dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by people in power, such as bribery. Example: “The report exposed widespread corruption in city government.”
noun
1
Dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by people in power, such as bribery.
"The report exposed widespread corruption in city government."
"She campaigned against corruption in the police force."
"Journalists often investigate corruption among officials who accept secret payments."
2
Damage to data caused by errors during storage or transfer.
"The backup failed due to data corruption on the drive."
"File corruption meant the photos would not open on my laptop."
"A sudden power cut can cause corruption in the saved document."
How to use corruption
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDishonest abuse of power for personal benefit, or damage to information/data.
Common pairings
political corruption
fight corruption
data corruption
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Word forms
- Plural
- corruptions
Fill the gap
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The report exposed widespread _____ in city government.
Etymology
Borrowed from French corruption, from Latin corruptio — from the same root as "corrupt".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for corruption
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for corruption →
Frequently asked questions
What does “corruption” mean?
The word “corruption” means dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by people in power, such as bribery. In plain terms, dishonest abuse of power for personal benefit, or damage to information/data.
How do you pronounce “corruption”?
“Corruption” is pronounced kuh-RUHP-shuhn (/kəˈɹʌpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “corruption” in a sentence?
Here is “corruption” used in a sentence: “The report exposed widespread corruption in city government.”
What is another word for “corruption”?
Words with a similar meaning to “corruption” include rent-seeking, abasement, adulteration, debasement, debauchment and defilement.
What is the opposite of “corruption”?
The opposite of “corruption” — its antonyms — are exaltation, expiation, preservation, purgation and purification.
What part of speech is “corruption”?
“Corruption” is a noun.
Where does the word “corruption” come from?
The word “corruption” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French corruption, from Latin corruptio — from the same root as "corrupt".
Is “corruption” a common word?
“Corruption” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between corruption and bribery?
Bribery is one specific form of corruption, involving offering or accepting something of value in exchange for improper favours. Corruption is the broader term for dishonest or illegal conduct by people in power, of which bribery is just one example.
What is the difference between corruption and fraud?
Fraud is deception carried out for personal gain and can be committed against anyone. Corruption specifically involves the abuse of an entrusted position or public power, such as an official taking bribes.
What are common collocations with 'corruption'?
In the ethical sense, common phrases include political corruption, a corruption scandal, and rooting out corruption. In computing, you often see file corruption, data corruption, and disk corruption.
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