Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Incapable of being morally corrupted: Describes a person, especially one in a position of authority or trust, who cannot be persuaded to act dishonestly or unethically, typically through bribery or other inducements.
   • Not subject to decay or decomposition: In a physical or literal sense, describes a substance or material that does not decay or rot. (This meaning is less common in modern usage.)

Usage

• The adjective incorruptible is used to describe a person's character, particularly their honesty and integrity. It implies a steadfast adherence to strong moral principles.
• It is a formal term, often used in contexts discussing ethics, governance, law, and leadership.
• It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'is' or 'was').

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • The country needed an incorruptible leader to restore public trust.
  • He built a reputation as an incorruptible police officer.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • Her integrity is absolute; she is completely incorruptible.
  • The historical figure was celebrated for being incorruptible in the face of immense pressure.

Advanced Usage

• "Incorruptible by": Used to specify what type of temptation or influence cannot corrupt the subject.
  • He seemed incorruptible by power or wealth.
• In philosophical or religious contexts, it can describe a soul or ideal that is pure and beyond corruption.
  • The concept of an incorruptible soul is central to some belief systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Incorruptibility (noun): The quality of being incorruptible.
  • The incorruptibility of the official was never in doubt.
• Incorruptibly (adverb): In an incorruptible manner. (Rarely used)
• Uncorruptible: A less common variant with the same meaning.
• Corruptible (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning capable of being corrupted.

Synonyms

• Honest: Free of deceit; truthful and sincere.
• Upright: Strictly honorable or honest.
• Principled: Acting in accordance with morality and showing recognition of right and wrong.
• Unbribable: Specifically cannot be influenced by bribes. (More direct but less formal)
• Impeccable: In the sense of faultless integrity.

Antonyms

• Corruptible: Capable of being corrupted.
• Venal: Showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery.
• Dishonest: Behaving or prone to behave in an untrustworthy or fraudulent way.

Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no common idioms using the exact word "incorruptible," the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "A man/woman of principle": Someone who acts based on a set of moral rules.
  • "Above reproach": So good that no criticism can be made; blameless.

Adjective

1. incapable of being morally corrupted
   • incorruptible judges are the backbone of the society