Corruptly

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /kəˈrʌpt.li/

Definitions

1. In a fashion characterized by immoral actions or deceitfulness
2. In a way that reflects a lack of integrity or ethical standards
3. Done in a dishonest or morally wrong way that betrays trust or principles

Etymology: "Corruptly" is simply "corrupt" with the suffix "-ly" attached, and that suffix has a long pedigree of its own. It descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "body," which passed into Proto-Germanic as a word for "shape" or "form" and gave rise to a suffix meaning "having the form of" or "like." Over the centuries that suffix turned the adjective "corrupt" into an adverb describing the manner in which something is done. The adjective "corrupt" is the older and more basic word. Its core idea is of something broken down or spoiled from its proper state, and that physical sense of decay came to describe moral decay, such as bribery or dishonesty in office. "Corruptly," then, is the adverb for acting in that spoiled, dishonest way, so that a person who acts corruptly does so in the manner of someone whose conduct has gone bad.

Synonyms: dishonestly, immorally

Antonyms: honestly, ethically