DE-CENT Synonyms: 353 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'decent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of decent are chaste , modest , and pure . While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. // preferred more modest swimsuits // decent people didn't go to such movies

Q: When is 'chaste' a more appropriate choice than 'decent'?

The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. // they maintained chaste relations

Q: How do 'pure' and 'chaste' relate to one another, in the sense of 'decent'?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. // the pure of heart

decent

adjective

ˈdē-sᵊnt

Definition of decent next

as in nice

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue as decent and kind a couple as you could ever hope to meet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

following the accepted rules of moral conduct demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in proper

following the established traditions of refined society and good taste decent clothing for someone attending a funeral, if only as a friend of a friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pure

free from any trace of the coarse or indecent students were warned that their skits could be funny but still had to remain decent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adequate

of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards he did a decent job on the project, but there's still room for improvement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word decent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of decent are chaste, modest, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits

decent people didn't go to such movies

When is chaste a more appropriate choice than decent?

The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of decent?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of decent Rockets Still Worth Backing In Game 2 Durant is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 2, and sportsbooks are giving him a decent chance to suit up Tuesday. —

Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Then there was the fact that despite their size, the windows only opened a tiny crack, making a decent breeze nearly impossible. —

Clio Chang, Curbed, 21 Apr. 2026 This would be a moral response characteristic of a decent society, but not through force. —

Charles F. Miller, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026 The only other Bronco who has a decent chance of being drafted in a later round is defensive tackle Braxton Fely. —

Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent

Adjective

So borrowing those things on Buy Nothing is really nice.

— Dania Maxwell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Both Guerrero and Offerman were full of nice things to say about Kidman, who had just one day to shoot her wrestling scene and the previous day to rehearse it, for which Guerrero flew to Nashville to train with Kidman in a boxing gym alongside her stunt double, former wrestler Danielle Moinet.

— Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026

Definition of nice

Browse Nearby Words

decency

decent

decently

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of decent

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on decent

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

onerous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

The Words of the Week - Apr. 24

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Games & Quizzes