Corrupt

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Pronunciation: /kəˈɹʌpt/

Definitions

  1. To damage or impair the integrity of something | To engage in unethical behavior for personal gain or to alter information improperly | To spoil or make unfit by introducing something harmful or undesirable
  2. To undermine the moral integrity of an individual or entity | To change or distort the original form of something for deceptive purposes | To spoil or infect something with dishonest or harmful influences
  3. To compromise the ethical principles of a person or system | To alter or distort the original state of an item for malicious intent | To taint or degrade something by introducing harmful elements or practices

Etymology: The word "corrupt" entered English in the late Middle Ages, drawing directly from the Latin verb "corrumpere," which means "to break, spoil, or destroy." This Latin root itself combines "com-" (intensive prefix) with "rumpere," meaning "to break." The original sense was quite literal: to break something physically or to ruin it. Over time, the meaning extended metaphorically to the moral or ethical realm, referring to the degradation of character or integrity. By the 14th century, English adopted "corrupt" both as a verb and an adjective, initially carrying the idea of physical decay or decomposition—like rotting flesh or spoiled food. It wasn’t long before the term took on a more abstract sense, applied to people, institutions, or systems that had been morally tainted or perverted from their original state of virtue or honesty. The shift from physical to moral decay is a key part of the term’s development. Whereas "rupture" (from the same root) stayed primarily in the realm of physical breaking, this word ventured into the ethical domain, describing behaviors and practices that were dishonest or unethical. The adjective form, which denotes a state of being morally compromised or dishonest, became especially prominent in discussions of politics, governance, and personal conduct. Interestingly, the Latin root’s focus on "breaking" ties the concept of corruption to an idea of something once whole or sound being fractured or spoiled. This imagery remains powerful in how the word is used today, suggesting an original integrity that has been damaged or lost. The term’s endurance in English reflects centuries of concern over integrity, honesty, and the consequences of their absence in human affairs.

Synonyms: dishonest, depraved, crooked

Antonyms: honest, upright