thoroughly corrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly corrupt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person, organization, or system that is completely dishonest or unethical. Example: "The investigation revealed that the officials were thoroughly corrupt, engaging in bribery and embezzlement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The thoroughly corrupt Bureau of Indian Affairs was responsible for overseeing the terms of the treaties.

The New York Times

In spite of Madero's personal honesty, Mexico had another thoroughly corrupt administration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bulgarian politicians are viewed as thoroughly corrupt and incompetent and it's believed the EU keeps them in check.

The Guardian - Opinion

To make matters worse, many Indonesians also lost faith in institutions such as the army and the courts, because they saw them as thoroughly corrupt.

The Economist

Some of that antipathy is well earned; Venezuelan democracy may be paraded as South America's longest lived, but it is also thoroughly corrupt.

The Economist

It is worrying that despite lying far from the centres of the drugs business they preside over such thoroughly corrupt criminal-justice apparatuses.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

A recent survey by Baghdad University of 500 people found that 452 of them believed that the office of passports and identity cards, run by the Interior Ministry, was thoroughly corrupted.

The New York Times

The suicide is the latest scandal to hit the country's top law enforcement agency, which Mexican and United States officials say has been thoroughly corrupted by drug traffickers and others.

The New York Times

When the base layer, where government resides, is thoroughly corrupted, businesspeople learn that the easiest way to get rich is to bribe politicians and support their grab for power.

The New Yorker

The film is as contemptuous of the rapacious and deceitful Texan oil executives who have put Peter's company out of business as it is of the rebel kidnappers, a band of Marxist revolutionaries so thoroughly corrupted by their drug and kidnapping operations that they now spend much of their time getting high.

The New York Times

Any kernel of we-can-do-it idealism has been pretty much vitiated by my certainty that the institutions that define our society, and through which change must come if change is to come at all, that these institutions have by now been so thoroughly corrupted by Big Whatever that the situation seems hopeless.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thoroughly corrupt", ensure the context clearly supports such a strong condemnation. Provide specific examples or evidence to substantiate the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly corrupt" in contexts that require a more neutral or objective tone. Opt for less accusatory language like "inefficient" or "lacking transparency" if the situation doesn't warrant such a strong condemnation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly corrupt" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "thoroughly" modifies and intensifies the meaning of the adjective "corrupt". As supported by Ludwig, this construction serves to emphasize the extent and degree of corruption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly corrupt" is a potent adverb-adjective combination used to express strong condemnation of pervasive dishonesty or unethical behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. While grammatically sound and widely used, it's essential to ensure the context warrants such a strong accusation and that it aligns with your intended tone. Alternatives such as "completely corrupt" or "utterly corrupt" can serve as close substitutes, depending on the desired level of intensity and formality. This phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, reflecting its use in describing significant instances of corruption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely corrupt

Indicates a state of corruption with no exceptions or limitations.

utterly corrupt

Emphasizes the absolute and total nature of the corruption.

absolutely corrupt

Highlights the complete and undeniable state of corruption.

entirely corrupt

Suggests a corruption that permeates every aspect of something.

totally corrupt

Similar to "completely corrupt" but with a slightly more informal tone.

thoroughly dishonest

Focuses specifically on the lack of honesty as the primary form of corruption.

thoroughly crooked

Implies deceitfulness and illegal activities as indicators of corruption.

wholly corrupt

Indicates a corruption that affects the entirety of something; formal tone.

fundamentally corrupt

Highlights that the corruption is at the base or core of something.

hopelessly corrupt

Suggests that the corruption is so pervasive that there is no chance of reform.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly corrupt" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly corrupt" to describe systems, organizations, or individuals characterized by widespread dishonesty and unethical behavior. For example, "The investigation revealed a "thoroughly corrupt" network of officials."

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly corrupt"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use alternatives such as "completely corrupt", "utterly corrupt", or "fundamentally corrupt" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "thoroughly corrupt"?

While both words emphasize a high degree of negativity, "thoroughly" intensifies the adjective "corrupt", highlighting the pervasiveness and completeness of the corruption. It's not necessarily redundant and can add emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "thoroughly corrupt"?

Use "thoroughly corrupt" when you want to express a strong condemnation of something or someone due to pervasive dishonesty, unethical behavior, and abuse of power. Make sure you can back up the claim with solid evidence.