What does incorruptible mean?
Incorruptible describes someone or something that cannot be morally compromised, bought off, or persuaded to act dishonestly. It is a strong word often applied to people, principles, institutions, reputations, and acts of integrity, and it conveys admiration as well as firmness. In religious and literary contexts, it can instead mean literally incapable of decay or destruction, especially of bodily remains, food, or sacred objects. The adjective is occasionally paired with the related noun incorruptibility, meaning the quality of being morally upright or immune to corruption. Although incorruptible may sound formal and occasionally grand, it remains readily understood and is especially effective when emphasizing that integrity has remained unchanged despite pressure, temptation, or time.
adjectiveNot subject to moral corruption or dishonest influence; morally upright. It can also mean incapable of decay, deterioration, or destruction.
- Morally upright and not subject to corruption or dishonest influence.
- Incapable of decay, deterioration, or destruction.
"Her incorruptible judgement earned the respect of the entire community."
"Despite years of political pressure, she remained incorruptible."
"The incorruptible relics were carefully preserved in the cool chamber."
The word is more than a moral compliment: it can also describe something that never decays.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incorruptible come from?
Incorruptible comes through Medieval Latin from the Latin incorruptibilis, meaning “not liable to corruption.” Its base word, Latin incorruptus, combined in- with corruptus, “damaged” or “spoiled,” and that vocabulary ultimately drew on corrumpere, “to spoil, damage, or seduce from integrity.” The English form became especially prominent in moral and religious writing, where it referred both to unblemished character and to things believed to resist physical decay.
Related word forms
How incorruptible is actually used
In modern use, the word most often describes a person, institution, principle, or reputation that cannot be morally compromised. Its secondary sense of imperishability occurs especially in religious, literary, or formal contexts and can sound elevated.
Easily confused with incorruptible
Incorruptible means unable to be morally compromised, whereas corruptible means capable of being influenced by dishonesty or corruption.