decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdē-sᵊn-sē 
plural decencies
1
2
: standard of propriety
—usually used in plural
3
decencies plural
: conditions or services considered essential for a proper standard of living
4
: literary decorum
5
Examples of decency in a Sentence
Decency, not fear of punishment, caused them to do the right thing.
Sending aid to the victims was simply a matter of common decency.
If you're going to be late, please have the decency to call and let me know.
Have you no sense of decency?
He had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths.
—
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2026
Shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
Renee Good, mother of three, brutally murdered, Alex Pretti, VA nurse, executed by ICE, shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Throughout the process, Orsolya makes a great show of her reasonableness and decency.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decency
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Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2026
Shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026
Renee Good, mother of three, brutally murdered, Alex Pretti, VA nurse, executed by ICE, shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
Throughout the process, Orsolya makes a great show of her reasonableness and decency.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdēs-ᵊn-sē
plural decencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being decent : propriety
b
: agreement with standards of taste, quality, or proper behavior
decency, not fear of punishment, made them behave
2
: a standard of proper behavior
—usually used in plural
had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies
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