Corrupts

To corrupt means to cause someone or something to act dishonestly or immorally. It can also refer to the process of causing something to deteriorate or become rotten, or the act of introducing errors into data or a system. This can involve the distortion of values, the undermining of integrity, or the subversion of established principles. When applied to people, corrupts signifies a change in their moral compass, leading them to prioritize self-interest over ethical conduct. In a broader context, corrupts can also indicate the tainting or spoilage of something, whether tangible like food, or intangible like an ideal. Its implication is always that something has lost its purity, soundness, or proper function.

Corrupts meaning with examples

• The lure of money and power often corrupts even the most idealistic individuals, leading them to compromise their principles and engage in unethical practices. The politician, once known for their integrity, was eventually consumed by the temptations that came with their position.
• The excessive exposure to propaganda and misinformation corrupts a society's ability to think critically and make informed decisions. Without a steadfast foundation of truth and objectivity, citizens lose the ability to discern facts from fiction, creating widespread confusion and eroding trust.
• Careless storage and lack of refrigeration corrupts perishable foods, rendering them unsafe for consumption and causing potential health problems. The once fresh produce turned rancid and unsafe for consumption. This meant everything needed to be thrown out.
• A virus can corrupts the computer's operating system, causing it to malfunction and leading to data loss. After running the unknown program, the computer started displaying odd behavior, and eventually failed to boot up, indicating that something was gravely wrong.