Corrupt Meaning
/kəˈɹʌpt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjWilling to act dishonestly for personal gain; accepting bribes.
adjIn a depraved state; debased; perverted; morally degenerate; weak in morals.
Sentence Examples
Down with corrupt politicians.
The party in power is corrupt, but the opposition is little better.
It was seen as the only way to overthrow a corrupt regime.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ politician accepted bribes from wealthy special interest groups.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Down with ____ politicians.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English corrupten, derived from Latin corruptus, past participle of corrumpō (“to destroy, ruin, injure, spoil, corrupt, bribe”), from com- (“together”) + rumpō (“to break in pieces”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 6:11:
"At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you."
— 1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
"with such corrupt and pestilent bread to feed them."
— 1603, Richard Knolles, The Generall Historie of the Turkes, […], London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC:
"And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 6:12:
"I think that there is a bad idea around in our world, and that idea is that 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. I think what really happens is that power attracts the corruptible."
— 1985 April 17, Frank Herbert, 34:18 from the start, in Frank Herbert speaking at UCLA 4/17/1985, UCLACommStudies, archived from the original on 10 Feb 2017:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ politician accepted bribes from wealthy special interest groups.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Down with ____ politicians.