corrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "corrupt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, organization, or system that has been corrupted by bribery or some other form of improper behavior. For example: "The local government was found to be corrupt, with the mayor and several of his aides being accused of taking bribes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another cable, which prompted Ecuador to expel the US ambassador to the country, accused Ecuador's commander of police of using his position "to extort cash and property, misappropriate public funds, facilitate human trafficking, and obstruct the investigation and prosecution of corrupt colleagues", concluding that "corruption among Ecuadorian national police officers is widespread and well-known".

The Guardian

The former New South Wales minister has been at the centre of several inquiries and has been found corrupt by the Independent Commission Against Corruption on a number of occasions.

The Guardian

Turkmenistan is among the most corrupt and repressive countries on earth, according to watchdogs.

The Guardian

Sharaa is the most senior Sunni Muslim figure in Assad's minority Alawite-led government and he has a reputation for living modestly and not being corrupt.

The Guardian

"You cannot say a man is corrupt until he's proven guilty".

The Guardian - Sport

This absence is at least partially explained by the thorough discrediting of nationalism after nazism and the fact that, unlike further east, communist elites did not become corrupt nouveaux riches (and therefore the subject of a rightwing backlash, as in Hungary, for instance).

The Guardian - Opinion

They point to corrupt politicians and the lobbyists and business people who corrupt them, and give that enemy a name – "la casta", loosely translated, "the establishment".

The Guardian

Their equipment was outdated and ill-maintained, since army purchases were notoriously corrupt.

The Guardian

These days, many of us can be found curled up with a copy of The Hunger Games or Divergent, but what's very clear is that your average teenage girl will probably not end up saving the world from a corrupt dictatorship, like Katniss Everdeen, or be caught in a love triangle between a vampire and a werewolf, like Bella Swan.

The Guardian

Two reports into alleged corrupt developer donations to the NSW Liberal party and another into Australian Water Holdings will not be finalised now until its appeal against the Cunneen ruling.

The Guardian

The court of appeal found the alleged conduct surrounding Tilley's crash did not fall within Icac's definition of corrupt conduct.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "corrupt", provide specific examples or evidence to support your claim. This strengthens your argument and avoids generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "corrupt" to describe minor infractions. Reserve it for situations involving significant breaches of ethics, law, or trust.

Linguistic Context

The word "corrupt" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something or someone morally depraved, dishonest, or engaging in illegal activities. Ludwig's examples show how "corrupt" is used to describe institutions, individuals, and even data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "corrupt" is an adjective used to describe something or someone morally depraved, dishonest, or engaging in illegal activities. It serves to express condemnation and disapproval, and it appears frequently in news and media sources. As Ludwig AI shows, it can describe institutions, individuals, and data, highlighting its versatility in conveying unethical behavior. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to use "corrupt" accurately, reserving it for situations involving significant breaches of ethics, law, or trust. Using the word correctly leads to more clear and stronger statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dishonest

Focuses on the lack of honesty and integrity.

fraudulent

Emphasizes deceit and illegal actions for personal gain.

unethical

Highlights the violation of moral principles.

debased

Suggests a lowering in moral status or quality.

tainted

Implies contamination or corruption affecting purity.

venal

Indicates susceptibility to bribery and corruption.

rotten

Emphasizes the extent of decay and moral deterioration.

crooked

Informal term suggesting dishonesty or illegality.

iniquitous

Highlights the grossly unfair and morally wrong nature.

perverted

Focuses on the distortion or corruption of something good or natural.

FAQs

How can I use "corrupt" in a sentence?

You can use "corrupt" to describe individuals, organizations, or systems that are morally or legally compromised. For example, "The official was accused of accepting bribes and engaging in "corrupt practices"".

What are some synonyms for "corrupt"?

Alternatives to "corrupt" include "dishonest", "fraudulent", "unethical", and "debased", each carrying slightly different connotations.

What's the difference between "corrupt" and "corrupted"?

"Corrupt" is an adjective describing something in a state of corruption, while "corrupted" is the past participle of the verb "to corrupt", indicating something that has been made corrupt. For example, "a "corrupt official"" versus "evidence that has been "corrupted"".

When is it appropriate to use the term "corrupt"?

Use "corrupt" when there is clear evidence of dishonesty, abuse of power, or illegal activity. Avoid using it based on mere suspicion or unsubstantiated claims. It is more impactful to say a system is "prone to corruption" rather than immediately label it as "corrupt".