1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manner
proprieties plural
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting
an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in appropriateness
the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting
I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propriety
This is a regimented world driven by ritual and propriety and a fear of seeming out of step.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Notions of propriety get in the way of happiness, insinuations overpower truth, gossip becomes currency—a game of social snakes and ladders is afoot at all times.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
Law enforcement recovered multiple digital devices belonging to Gong, some of which contained the company's propriety files.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
The curtains are drawn, the wine is chilled…Wear something reckless, as though mocking propriety.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Notions of propriety get in the way of happiness, insinuations overpower truth, gossip becomes currency—a game of social snakes and ladders is afoot at all times.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
Law enforcement recovered multiple digital devices belonging to Gong, some of which contained the company's propriety files.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
The curtains are drawn, the wine is chilled…Wear something reckless, as though mocking propriety.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety
Noun
-
Bustle surveyed readers about money etiquette and found that 90% wouldn’t bother with a Venmo request for less than $10.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The etiquette expert was King Charles III’s butler from 2004 to 2011.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But while Barcelona’s 4-1 battering at the hands of Sevilla on Sunday — their heaviest loss in La Liga for over 10 years — will go down as a major shock, the manner of their defeat will be of little surprise to those who have endured the full thrill of Hansi Flick’s reign.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
There is no record of how William’s wife greeted the news of the instant stepson with the polished manners, who impressed even his hard-driving grandfather.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The appropriateness tests that platforms like Saxo will implement serve as additional safeguards.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Property owners must apply for a special permit, called a certificate of appropriateness, to demolish a building on the local historic register.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And the typical rules of decorum are loosened as a result — at least by golf standards.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Despite his reputation for decorum, Balmain could also inject a dose of sizzle.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kickbacks detailed in court records Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of unraveling Gatlin’s web of fraudulent charges for investigators and Foundation officials was determining the validity of charges.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The Packers initially presented a proposal to ban the play, citing injury concerns and questioning the play’s validity in football.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And that system must be taken on at the cost of family, at the cost of friendship, at the cost of decency, at the cost of basic human capacity for success.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Applying a decency standard in awarding support is vague.—
Helen Molesworth,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Federal courts of appeals have divided over the question of scope of applicability.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
6 Oct. 2025
-
To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing, including a tax advisor and/or attorney.—
Steve Hruby,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Released in 1936, this morality tale against marijuana was financed by a long-defunct church group called the Motion Picture Guild.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Spare us the lesson in morality on peace if your goal is escalation.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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