corruption (n.)

  1. lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

    [ Syn: corruptness ]

  2. in a state of progressive putrefaction

    [ Syn: putrescence , putridness , rottenness ]

  3. decay of matter (as by rot or oxidation)

  4. moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles; the luxury and corruption among the upper classes; moral degeneracy followed intellectual degeneration; its brothels, its opium parlors, its depravity; Rome had fallen into moral putrefaction

    [ Syn: degeneracy , depravation , depravity , putrefaction ]

  5. destroying someones (or some groups) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity; corruption of a minor; the big citys subversion of rural innocence

    [ Syn: subversion ]

  6. inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by commiting a felony); he was held on charges of corruption and racketeering'

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.