French word

corrompre

Pronunciation

IPA/koʁɔ̃pʁ/

Meaning

  • verbcorrupt

Example

L'argent peut corrompre un jeune idéaliste.

Money can corrupt a young idealist.

Illustration for corrompre (corrupt)

More examples

L'argent ne doit pas corrompre notre jugement.

Money must not corrupt our judgment.

Core concept

A person's moral compass is stained by money, favors, or influence until sound judgment bends.

Common phrases

  • corrompre les valeurs

    corrupt values

  • corrompre la jeunesse

    corrupt the youth

Similar words

soudoyer: To bribe someone with money or gifts to commit an improper act.
acheter: To buy someone's support or cooperation with money.
influencer: To change someone's views or behavior through persuasion or influence.
manipuler: To skillfully control someone through words or behavior to get the desired response.

Definition in French

Faire perdre à quelqu'un sa droiture morale ou son intégrité en lui offrant de l'argent, des faveurs ou une mauvaise influence.

Word origin

French corrompre comes through Old French from Latin corrumpere, built from com- 'completely' and rumpere 'to break', and developed senses of spoiling, corrupting, and bribing.

Usage tips

  • The person affected is a direct object, as in corrompre quelqu'un, not an indirect object introduced by à.

Other meanings

  • bribeverb
  • spoilverb

Opposites

Related words

  • corruptioncorruptionnoun
  • corruptiblesusceptible to briberyadjective

Word lists with this word