corrupted; corrupting; corrupts
1
a
: to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions
Officials were corrupted by greed.
was accused of corrupting the youth
also
: bribe
b
: to degrade with unsound principles or moral values
Some fear the merger will corrupt the competitive marketplace.
3
: to subject (a person) to corruption of blood
4
: to alter from the original or correct form or version
The file was corrupted.
1
a
: to become tainted or rotten
leaving the bodies to corrupt on the field
b
: to become morally debased
2
: to cause disintegration or ruin
1
a
: morally degenerate and perverted : depraved
b
: characterized by improper conduct (such as bribery or the selling of favors)
corrupt judges
3
: adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition
a corrupt version of the text
Synonyms
Verb
- break down
- decay
- decompose
- disintegrate
- fester
- foul
- mold
- molder
- perish [chiefly British]
- putrefy
- rot
- spoil
Adjective
Examples of corrupt in a Sentence
Verb
a politician corrupted by greed
music that corrupts the morals of children
corrupting the country's legal system
the corrupting influence of power
Their idealism has been corrupted by cynicism.
The file has been corrupted and no longer works properly.
a corrupted version of the ancient text
Adjective
The country's justice system is riddled with corrupt judges who accept bribes.
corrupt cops who sell drugs
the country's corrupt legal system
a corrupt version of the text
a corrupt computer file that no longer works properly
Recent Examples on the Web
Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
When confronted further about the Big Lie that also finds a fertile home on social media platforms, Vance declined to respond to questions about the validity of Trump’s loss, instead saying Democrats were hypocrites in claiming Russian ads corrupted the results of 2016.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Activists began showing up at election-board meetings with signs calling Lindsey corrupt.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for corrupt 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Instructed by Khamenei to go after Iran’s unscrupulous and less Islamist leaders, the organization’s younger corps naturally began attacking some of its oligarchs, accusing them of being corrupted by financial interests and of being too timid in their dealings with the West.
—Saeid Golkar, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024
When confronted further about the Big Lie that also finds a fertile home on social media platforms, Vance declined to respond to questions about the validity of Trump’s loss, instead saying Democrats were hypocrites in claiming Russian ads corrupted the results of 2016.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Others, such as Sri Lanka, have oscillated back and forth, with more democratic presidents and corrupt populist autocrats alternating as leaders.
—Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Activists began showing up at election-board meetings with signs calling Lindsey corrupt.
—Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for corrupt
Dictionary Entries Near corrupt
Cite this Entry
“Corrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrupt. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
corrupt
1 of 2 verb
cor·rupt
kə-ˈrəpt 
1
: to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions
especially
: to influence a public official improperly
3
: to change from the original or correct form or version
corrupt a text
4
: to become debased
corrupt
2 of 2 adjective1
: morally corrupted : depraved
2
: characterized by improper conduct
a corrupt government
Legal Definition
corrupt
1 of 2 adjective
cor·rupt
kə-ˈrəpt
: having an unlawful or evil motive
especially
: characterized by improper and usually unlawful conduct intended to secure a benefit for oneself or another (as by taking or giving bribes)
corruptly
adjective
corruptness
noun
corrupt
2 of 2 transitive verb1
: to change from good to bad in principles or moral values
corrupting a minor
2
: to subject (a person) to corruption of blood
corruptibly
adverb
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