C1nounformal2K

Corruption

UK /["/kəˈrʌpʃn/"]/US /["/kəˈrʌpʃn/"]/

Definition

dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially of people in authority

In simple words: Dishonest or illegal behavior, usually by people in power.

Examples

  • The government launched an investigation into corruption within the police force.
  • Corruption in business can lead to unfair advantages and economic disparities.
  • The trial exposed corruption among several high-ranking officials.
  • Software corruption caused the file to become unreadable.
  • Data corruption during the transfer resulted in errors on the disk.
  • Corruption of the digital image made it impossible to recover the original photograph.

Usage notes

Often used in political contexts. It's more suitable in formal discussions or writing than in casual conversation. Avoid using it in overly emotional contexts.

Grammar pattern

corruption + of + authority/officials

Memory hint

Think of 'corrupt' as 'corpse' – something dead inside, like honesty gone.

Collocations

  • endemic
  • massive
  • rampant
  • case
  • attack
  • combat
  • fight
  • scandal
  • allegation
  • charge
  • corruption among
  • corruption in
  • accusations of corruption
  • allegations of corruption
  • charges of corruption
  • endemic
  • massive
  • rampant
  • case
  • attack
  • combat
  • fight
  • scandal
  • allegation
  • charge
  • corruption among
  • corruption in
  • accusations of corruption
  • allegations of corruption
  • charges of corruption

Synonyms

  • bribery
  • fraud
  • deceit
  • malfeasance
  • dishonesty

Antonyms

  • integrity
  • honesty
  • virtue

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'corruption' with 'corrections'
  • Using 'corruption' as a verb instead of a noun
  • Mispronouncing it, especially stressing the wrong syllable