corruptly
UK[kəˈrʌptli]US[kəˈrʌptli]
adv
in a manner involving dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power
adv
in a way that is morally degenerate or depraved
Morpheme Breakdown
corrupt
ly
corrupt
morally unsound
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the adverb 'corruptly' is built upon the adjective 'corrupt', which originates from the latin verb 'corrumpere', meaning 'to break to pieces, destroy, spoil, bribe'. this verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'com-' (together, thoroughly) and 'rumpere' (to break). the literal sense of 'thoroughly broken' evolved metaphorically to describe moral decay, the perversion of integrity, and the act of bribing. the old english adverbial suffix '-ly' was then appended, a common germanic formation, to create the adverb specifying the manner of acting in a corrupt way.
Analysis
Structure: corrupt (morally unsound) + ly (adverb suffix)
corrupt (from latin 'corruptus', past participle of 'corrumpere', meaning to destroy, spoil, bribe; functional role: adjective/verb base). ly (from old english '-līce', forming adverbs from adjectives; functional role: derivational suffix).
Examples
the official was accused of acting corruptly by accepting gifts in exchange for favors.
the system was so corruptly managed that public trust completely eroded.
he argued that the law had been applied corruptly to benefit the wealthy.