1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
-
Explain exactly what’s happening and then politely ask them to stop doing it, which is more effective than issuing a command, says Pamela Eyring, president of the Protocol School of Washington, which provides etiquette training programs.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
-
If more help is needed, the etiquette expert suggests getting a crew of neighbors together to assist.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In a throwback to the warts-and-all silliness of the family’s legendary MTV reality show, The Osbournes, Coming Home appears to lean into the domestic comedy of the Osbourne clan, opening with a jittery Ozzy begging Sharon to stop driving in a herky-jerky manner.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In August, Hron says the online research tool Westlaw unveiled Deep Research, an agentic workflow that can plan, review, and strategize legal research in a manner that emulates human work.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
There’s considerable dispute, even among some Democrats, about the appropriateness of suspending the work of California’s independent citizen redistricting commission for a few election cycles.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Despite his reputation for decorum, Balmain could also inject a dose of sizzle.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Refusing sculpture’s decorum, Noah Purifoy turns neighborhood rubble into Johnsian abstraction that predicts his ramshackle desert sculptures.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Intelligence officials have raised doubts regarding the validity of that document.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Legal experts note that autopen use is acceptable so long as the president directs it, but Trump insists its deployment in Biden’s final days undermines the validity of those actions.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When human decency and basic civility fall victim to partisanship and ideology, and abhorrence of violence becomes tempered by political aims, monstrosities and tyrannies become possible.—
Michael Bloomberg,
Twin Cities,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Norvell was poached from Nevada to bring normalcy, decency, an exciting offense and success, not necessarily in that order.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This high-temperature requirement has severely restricted the tech’s applicability, especially in compact or mobile systems.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 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,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spare us the lesson in morality on peace if your goal is escalation.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Shakur being remembered as a pillar of morality, beauty, and justice that was still, at the end of the day, human with her own emotions, and beauty routines, makes her impact everlastingly powerful.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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