corruptible

[ kuh-ruhp-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. that can or might be corrupted.

corruptible

/ kəˈrʌptəbəl /

adjective

1. susceptible to corruption; capable of being corrupted

Derived Forms

• corˈruptibly, adverb
• corˌruptiˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• cor·rupti·bili·ty cor·rupti·ble·ness noun
• cor·rupti·bly adverb
• noncor·rupti·bili·ty noun
• noncor·rupti·ble adjective
• noncor·rupti·ble·ness noun
• noncor·rupti·bly adverb
• uncor·rupti·ble adjective
• uncor·rupti·ble·ness noun
• uncor·rupti·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of corruptible¹

1300–50; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin corruptibilis < Latin corrupt ( us ) ( corrupt ) + -ibilis -ible

Example Sentences

Paul comes across as the standard, casually sexist, easily corruptible law-enforcement type.

From Time

If a sidekick is flamboyantly dressed in pastels or tailored velvet, he must be morally corruptible.

From The Daily Beast

We strive for a corruptible crown, thinking that this, after all, is the surest discipline for the crown that is incorruptible.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, because the House of Commons, as it is the most powerful, is the most corruptible part of the whole Constitution.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be so, if every corruptible representative were to find an enlightened and incorruptible constituent.

From Project Gutenberg

Warmoth had almost unlimited power and he used it like Cataline to corrupt the corruptible elements of the State.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus wise are men, when they run for corruptible things; and thus shouldst thou do.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Corruptible

What does corruptible mean?

Corruptible is an adjective most commonly used to describe someone or an institution that can be caused to be dishonest or act immorally.

Corruptible comes from the verb corrupt, which means to destroy the integrity of someone or something or cause someone to be dishonest.

As an adjective, corrupt is commonly used to describe members of organizations or institutions who engage in illegal or otherwise dishonest practices to benefit themselves. It can also be used in this way to describe their actions or institutions that have a lot of corruption.

Corrupt and corruption are most often used in the context of such rulebreaking by people who are powerful or who are responsible for the well-being of others, such as politicians, government officials, and police officers.

More generally, corrupt be used as an adjective that means depraved, debased, or having been made worse in some way. It can also be used as a verb meaning to make someone or something depraved, debased, or worse in some way.

Something that is corruptible is able to be made worse in some way, perhaps easily. For example, someone who’s corruptible will offer little resistance when they’re pressured to do the wrong thing—or they may even seek out an opportunity to break the rules to benefit themselves, such as by taking a bribe.

The opposite of corruptible is incorruptible. Someone who’s incorruptible is honest and unbribable.

Example: Bribes and kickbacks are their normal way of doing business, and they always seek out corruptible people to help them do it.

Where does corruptible come from?

The first records of the word corruptible come from the 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb corrumpere, meaning “to ruin” (or literally “to break to pieces”), from the verb rumpere, “to break.” The suffix -ible is a variant of -able, making corruptible literally mean “able to be corrupted.”

People described as corrupt are usually those who are supposed to be upholding the rules but instead break the rules to benefit themselves—typically to get richer or more powerful. But they may not have always been that way. Money and power are often tempting to people who are corruptible.

The word is most commonly used to describe officials in the government or other organizations who are prone to getting involved in shady dealings, especially taking bribes.

Corruptible is also frequently used in the context of a person’s morals or values, especially young people considered impressionable. Parents may worry about their kids being corruptible, especially due to media that could have a corrupting influence.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to corruptible?

• incorruptible (adjective)
• corruptibility (noun)
• corruptibleness (noun)
• corruptibly (adverb)
• corrupt (verb, adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with corruptible? 

• corruption
• rupture

What are some words that often get used in discussing corruptible?

• bribe
• impressionable
• integrity
• crooked
• depraved
• debased
• politician
• official
• morals

How is corruptible used in real life?

Corruptible is most commonly used to describe people who can be easily influenced to do the wrong thing, especially officials who can be bribed.

Every mind can be corruptible if the environment is conducive to dishonest behaviour. It takes a lot of hard work within the individual to resist the temptation of unethical behaviour.

— Kuda Sig~Nature (@Kuda_Sig3nature) August 3, 2019

Platini: "You know the people who are corrupt, they know who can be corruptible. They know I am incorruptible."

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 27, 2011

@cpyala Agree! In a highly corrupted and corruptible society its difficult to find 100% upright people. Even what he's done is unprecedented

— Tariq Bashir (@Tariq_Bashir) June 7, 2012

 

 

Try using corruptible!

Is corruptible used correctly in the following sentence?

I know you think that anyone is corruptible for the right price, but I think some people have strong principles.