Spanish word

corromper

Pronunciation

IPA/koromˈpeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbcorrupt

Example

La corrupción puede corromper a los políticos.

Corruption can corrupt politicians.

Illustration for corromper (corrupt)

More examples

La globalización puede corromper las costumbres locales.

Globalization can corrupt local customs.

Core concept

A polished statue cracking and dark stains spreading inward.

Common phrases

  • corromper a alguien

    corrupt someone

  • corromper la moral

    corrupt morals

  • corromper las costumbres

    corrupt customs

Similar words

sobornar: Pay money or give gifts to induce dishonest action.
degradar: Lower dignity, worth, or quality to a degraded state.
arruinar: Damage or destroy something so it becomes unusable or fails.
pervertir: Twist an original meaning or nature into something harmful.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que una persona, institución o cosa pierda su integridad moral, honestidad o calidad; también puede referirse a la acción de sobornar o a dañar o alterar bienes y documentos.

Word origin

From Latin corrumpere (com- 'together' + rumpere 'break'), it originally meant 'break apart' and came to mean spoil or pervert the integrity of people, institutions, or things.

Usage tips

  • Sobornar names the act of bribery, corromperse indicates a person becomes morally ruined, and corromper is normally transitive (corromper a alguien).

Other meanings

  • bribeverb
  • rotverb
  • falsifyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word