Corruption Meaning

UK /kəˈrʌpʃən/
US /kəˈrʌpʃən/
Word Definition
corruption meaning

Corruption Definition & Usage

noun

The abuse of power or authority for personal gain, typically involving bribery or fraudulent activities.

Examples

  • "The government was rocked by a massive corruption scandal involving top officials."
  • "He was charged with corruption after accepting kickbacks from contractors."
  • "The company's corrupt practices led to its eventual downfall."
  • "Corruption within the police force has led to a breakdown in trust with the community."
  • "International watchdogs frequently report on the widespread corruption in developing countries."
noun

The process of altering or damaging something, such as data or software, making it unreliable or nonfunctional.

Examples

  • "The hacker's attack caused a corruption of the system's files."
  • "Data corruption can occur if a computer crashes while saving a document."
  • "The hard drive failure was due to file corruption."
  • "A virus can introduce corruption into your computer's operating system."
  • "Corruption in the database led to the loss of critical information."
noun

A decline in moral integrity or the degradation of values within a society or individual.

Examples

  • "The widespread corruption in the community was reflected in the lack of trust among its members."
  • "She lamented the corruption of the younger generation, who seemed less concerned with ethics."
  • "Corruption in society often leads to the erosion of basic human rights."
  • "The novel explores the theme of moral corruption in a small town where everyone is driven by greed."
  • "There was a palpable sense of corruption in the once-proud institution, now tainted by dishonesty."

Cultural Context

Corruption is a deeply ingrained issue in both historical and modern contexts, often cited in political discussions, investigations, and reforms. It is a key theme in literature and media, used to illustrate moral failings and societal breakdowns. The term has also expanded into technological fields, referring to damage or malfeasance affecting data integrity.

The Corruption of Power

Story

The Corruption of Power

In a small, bustling town, the mayor, Edward Dalton, was once a figure of respect and authority. Known for his promises of justice and fairness, his rise to power had been celebrated by the community. However, over time, his decisions began to reflect a different nature. It started with small favors—granting lucrative government contracts to old friends, bending the rules for certain businesses. Soon, this led to more significant breaches of trust. When a young reporter named Sarah Donovan began to investigate, she uncovered layers of corruption within the mayor's office. The town was shocked to learn of the kickbacks, the misused funds, and the countless favors exchanged for personal gain. In the heart of this scandal was the idea of corruption—how the pursuit of wealth and power had twisted Edward’s once-principled ideals. As the story unraveled, it became clear that the corruption was not just political but moral. The mayor’s actions had not only damaged the town’s economy but had also eroded the integrity of its community. As Sarah continued her investigation, she discovered that the corruption had spread far beyond Edward—infecting local businesses, law enforcement, and even the schools. The more Sarah dug, the more she realized that the real fight was not just against the mayor, but against the corrupt system that allowed such moral decay to flourish. The story ended with a town divided—some calling for justice, others defending their long-time mayor. But for Sarah, it was clear: this wasn't just a fight against one man, but against the corruption that had seeped into every facet of society.

The Corruption of Power