corruption
Bribery and fraud
Corruption is the decay of integrity or proper functioning.
In its most common use, corruption involves abuse of entrusted power for private gain—bribery, embezzlement, or exploiting public office: The mayor was convicted of corruption.
Data corruption means files have been damaged or altered.
Moral corruption suggests a degraded character.
The word implies something once sound has been spoiled or perverted from its original state.
Preferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- self-dealingMisusing fiduciary position
extortion · exploitation · usurpation · intimidation · coercion · kleptocracy · oligarchy · strongman
Organic breakdown process
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- spoilageFood degradation process
contamination · festering · decay · disintegration · taint · adulteration · impurity · pollution
Illegal payment for services
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- graftIllicit political gain
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- backhanderSecret illicit payment
shakedown · baksheesh · palm-greasing · sweetener · grease · under-the-table · fix · skim
Profound moral corruption
- viceBad habit or deputy
- degeneracyMoral or physical decline
- turpitudeInherent wickedness or vileness
- venalityOpenness to bribes
wickedness · immorality · sinfulness · perversion · dissipation · profligacy · demoralization · decadence
Dishonest money-making scheme
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- racketeeringConducting illegal business schemes
nepotism
Preferring kin in hiring
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
self-dealing · extortion · exploitation · usurpation · intimidation · coercion · kleptocracy · oligarchy · strongman · impunity
rot
Organic breakdown process
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
spoilage · contamination · festering · decay · disintegration · taint · adulteration · impurity · pollution · rancidity
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- graftIllicit political gain
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
backhander · shakedown · baksheesh · palm-greasing · sweetener · grease · under-the-table · fix · skim · envelope
depravity
Profound moral corruption
- viceBad habit or deputy
- degeneracyMoral or physical decline
- turpitudeInherent wickedness or vileness
venality · wickedness · immorality · sinfulness · perversion · dissipation · profligacy · demoralization · decadence · fallen
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
racketeering · embezzlement · misappropriation · bid-rigging
error
Fault in communication
- glitchMinor system fault
- degradationDecline in condition
- lossBeing without something
scrambled · garbled · damaged · unreadable · checksum · bitrot · malformed · artifact
- injusticeinjustice, inequality, discrimination, bias, prejudice
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- human follyhubris, pride, vanity, greed, arrogance
- official misconductmalfeasance, ethics violation, misconduct, misfeasance, nonfeasance
- political dysfunctionmisrule, tyranny, authoritarianism, dictatorship, despotism
- political scandalsWatergate, Iran-Contra, Whitewater, Teapot Dome, coverup
corruptionintegrity
Moral soundness and consistency
honesty · virtue · righteousness · honor · decency
corruptionintegrity
Moral soundness and consistency
transparency · accountability · legitimacy · good governance · fairness
corruptionpurity
Uncontaminated quality
pureness · wholesomeness · incorruption · cleanliness · preservation
- government corruptionOfficials exploiting public trust
- police corruptionOfficers abusing their authority
- political corruptionOfficials exploiting public power
- corruption chargesAllegations of abuse of power
- moral corruptionDegradation of ethical principles
- corruption scandalExposed abuse of power
corrupting, incorruptible, corruptible, corruptions, anticorruption, corruptive, incorruptibility, incorruptibly