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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 Based on the polling, Democrats have a decent shot. W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025 Advertisement The genesis of their relationship, while not a total Hallmark movie plot, would make a decent pitch for one. Belinda Luscombe, Time, 3 Nov. 2025 The Tigers had a bye week, so Zollers got decent practice time as the starter. Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 These decoys are powered by AA batteries and have a decent run time of up to 10 hours. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • Ten-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas with a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
  • To those earning $50,000 a year at their regular jobs, making $5,000 in a few nights of netting was a nice bonus.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • To keep the homeland safe, America needs a strategy to deter a devastating war, preserve its strategic position in Asia, and thereby maintain an honorable peace with China.
    Eyck Freymann, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In 2021, the Vietnam Veterans of America presented Agnes with an award for her dedication, devotion and honorable military service.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Old Medications Regularly checking expiration dates in your fridge or pantry might already be a part of your cleaning routine, but that medicine cabinet full of little bottles could go years without a proper cleanout.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Obviously, this is pure speculation at this point in time.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Rybakina is one of the purest ballstrikers on the tour, whose all-or-nothing game can veer from erratic to unplayable in the space of a few games.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The hotels in the area were adequate but utilitarian.
    Bambina Wise, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Each facility must have sufficient staff to support visitor-management and have adequate disinfecting supplies and personal protective equipment for staffers.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • However, on his eighth touch, Payne turned a good play into a disaster.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Arsenal’s second-half performance here was arguably their best of the campaign.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But to be honest, the 20th anniversary, in other people’s hands, would not have lured me back.
    McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
  • They’re further accused of honest services wire fraud, a noteworthy charge that has played an instrumental role in the sports world of late.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • There is polite applause as Cristian Romero cushions a ball from the sky.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Being polite and understanding how to function around a group of people, being open and friendly.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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