incorruptible
in-kuh-RUP-tuh-bul
/ˌɪnkəˈrʌptəbl/
Incapable of being corrupted, bribed, or morally contaminated; imperishable.
Describes absolute moral strength that cannot be broken by money, power, temptation, or physical decay.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'in-' (not) combined with 'corruptus', the past participle of 'corrumpere' (to break completely, destroy, or ruin). In medieval theology, incorruptible was often applied to the bodies of saints believed to resist natural physical decomposition, before expanding to designate public officials immune to bribery.
Word relationships
- unbribable: Unbribable specifically refers to financial bribes, while incorruptible covers all forms of moral and physical decay.
- imperishable: Imperishable focuses primarily on physical durability, whereas incorruptible usually emphasizes moral purity.
- corruptible: Capable of being corrupted or bribed.
- venal: Open to bribery and motivated purely by financial gain.
Commonly confused with
- interruptible: Interruptible means able to be stopped or paused, whereas incorruptible means unable to be corrupted.
Word family
- incorruptibility (noun): The state of being impossible to corrupt.
- incorruptibly (adverb): In an incorruptible manner.
Collocations
- incorruptible judge
- incorruptible spirit
- incorruptible virtue
- proved incorruptible
Idioms & expressions
- beyond price
Example sentences
- "The magistrate proved incorruptible, refusing millions in bribe money from organized crime syndicates." Judicial commentary
- "They sought an incorruptible material that could withstand centuries of exposure to sea air." Philosophical treatise
Memory hook
IN (not) + CORRUPT + ABLE = Not able to be corrupted. Unbreakable moral armor.
When not to use
Do not use for minor everyday mistakes that do not involve ethical compromise or decay.
Fun facts
- In the French Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre was famously nicknamed 'L'Incorruptible' due to his austere lifestyle, though his uncompromising tactics eventually led to his downfall.
Explore more words
imperishable, imperturbable, dauntless, pristine, indefatigable, immutable
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