1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
the standards of basic decency demanded that they help the old lady with her groceries
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in morality
conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong
expected all of the scouts in his troop to be models of decency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decency
In an unprecedented breach of law and decency, the president is threatening to send federal forces to our city, in an unironic attempt to combat nonexistent lawlessness in Chicago.
—
Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Some feel the lines of basic human decency have eroded.
—Annie Heilbrunn, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
A lot of it is just common sense and decency.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
There’s lots of stuff within Eddie that isn’t developed enough to be Stephen, but that decency is there.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Some feel the lines of basic human decency have eroded.
—Annie Heilbrunn, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
A lot of it is just common sense and decency.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
There’s lots of stuff within Eddie that isn’t developed enough to be Stephen, but that decency is there.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency
Noun
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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
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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
-
The Taliban formally codified a long set of rules governing morality late last year, ranging from requiring women to cover their faces and men to grow beards to banning car drivers from playing music.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
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The Taliban formally codified a long set of rules governing morality late last year, ranging from requiring women to cover their faces and men to grow beards to barring car drivers from playing music.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Despite his reputation for decorum, Balmain could also inject a dose of sizzle.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
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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
-
The rule, rooted in National Dance Council of America standards, aims to preserve the integrity of competitive ballroom technique and ensure fairness across all age groups and abilities.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As these conflicts are starting to get heated up, the politicians themselves lose track of any kind of propriety or bounds about what can and should be done in order to pursue your own political agenda.—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
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As expected, because of propriety, Barrett didn’t discuss any current cases that have been before the Supreme Court, including the order earlier this week to lift limitations on immigration stops in Los Angeles.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Every time it was dressed up as virtue.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
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Weeping savors a virtue — compassion, tenderness, pity, love.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Two childhood friends from a small North Indian village chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
26 Sep. 2025
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Pose was groundbreaking in many ways, but the FX drama deserves credit for being one of very few shows to depict the HIV-positive experience with sensitivity and a sense of dignity.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some readers may bristle at her honesty, misread her motives, or choose to sit in judgment.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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The film presents addiction and recovery with unflinching honesty, a stark departure from Johnson’s typically inspirational brand.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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