moral corruption

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'moral corruption' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decline in morality or an ethical degradation within a group or society. For example: "Over the past decade, there has been a worrying trend towards moral corruption in our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There's moral corruption.

The Guardian

Hamas accused the two of "financial, administrative and moral corruption".

The New York Times

"He allowed moral corruption to grow and encouraged women to wear makeup.

The New Yorker

After Friday prayers, its people distributed a communiqué warning Mr Ging against spreading "moral corruption".

The Economist

The secrecy and deception inherent in the arrangement amounted to a kind of moral corruption.

The New Yorker

In the face of this onslaught of moral corruption, Weyrich counseled withdrawal from society at large.

The New York Times

Moral corruption had infected a large percentage of the clergy and spread also among the laity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This moral corruption is the principal target of the revolutions of 1989 and 1990.

The New York Times - Magazine

The moral corruption of the city is not what is bothering Leon.

The Guardian - Books

The Fox poems were also sly, satiric comments on politics, power and moral corruption.

The Guardian - Books

He led the abolitionist crusade as part of his own evangelical vision for curtailing moral corruption.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, provide specific examples of behaviors or situations that exemplify the "moral corruption" you're discussing.

Common error

Avoid using "moral corruption" too broadly. It's a strong term that should be reserved for situations where there's a clear and significant violation of ethical principles, otherwise, consider using phrases like "ethical degradation" or "decline in morality".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral corruption" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a state or condition characterized by a decline in moral principles. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moral corruption" effectively conveys a decline in ethical standards and is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It is very common in news and media, as well as encyclopedias, to describe societal or institutional decay. When using the phrase, it's helpful to provide specific examples to strengthen its impact. While it is important to not overuse it in contexts where similar phrases like "ethical degradation" or "decline in morality" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral decline

Simple and direct synonym for "moral corruption".

ethical degradation

Focuses more specifically on the decline of ethical standards.

decline in morality

General term indicating a decrease in moral principles.

erosion of values

Highlights the gradual loss of important societal values.

ethical decay

Emphasizes the process of moral decline over time.

corruption of values

Indicates that values are actively being corrupted.

lack of integrity

Points to a deficiency in honesty and strong moral principles.

breakdown of ethics

Implies a complete failure of ethical systems.

societal decay

Broadens the scope to include all forms of decline in society, not just moral.

perversion of morality

Suggests a twisting or distortion of moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "moral corruption" in a sentence?

You can use "moral corruption" to describe a decline in ethical standards within a group or society. For example: "The film explores the "moral corruption" that can occur within powerful institutions."

What's a less formal way to express "moral corruption"?

While "moral corruption" is suitable for formal contexts, you could use phrases like "ethical degradation" or "decline in morality" in more casual settings.

What are some related concepts to "moral corruption"?

Related concepts include "political corruption", "financial corruption", and "social decay", each focusing on a specific aspect of decline or wrongdoing.

Is "moral corruption" always related to legal wrongdoing?

Not necessarily. "Moral corruption" can refer to a broader decline in ethical values and principles, even if no laws are being broken. However, it often accompanies or leads to illegal activities, such as "bribery" or "fraud".