1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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4
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
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5
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decent
But the layers were undeniable, and the butter was balanced by a decent bit of salt, which made this a rich but well-rounded biscuit.
—
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Seems like a decent little sprinkle given the Strait of Hormuz still ain't playing ball with us.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
That is all too rare these days, especially in the case of an apparently rootless individual who chose an unconventional yet outwardly decent lifestyle.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
Long-range models suggest that the next decent rain chance will not arrive until at least the May 17-19 timeframe.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decent
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Seems like a decent little sprinkle given the Strait of Hormuz still ain't playing ball with us.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
That is all too rare these days, especially in the case of an apparently rootless individual who chose an unconventional yet outwardly decent lifestyle.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
Long-range models suggest that the next decent rain chance will not arrive until at least the May 17-19 timeframe.
—Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
-
The comfortable seating area in the living room includes couches and armchairs set in front of the TV and fireplace for relaxing after a day on the slopes, and a dining table provides a nice spot to relax and eat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
-
Sullivan made a nice play on the ball and then twisted out of a tackle and ran 15 yards to the goal line.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Interpreted in this light, silence evolved to signify the very condition of being an honorable man who was capable of maintaining omertà.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
13 May 2026
-
Either way, Netflix respectfully disagrees with the honorable gentleman from the former Republic of Texas, to put it nicely.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
After all, the key to a flawless beat is proper skincare application!—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 May 2026
-
Sit down at a proper meal table (not your desk or the car), put your snack on a plate or in a bowl, and take a breath to center yourself before taking the first bite.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Recently, marinated, raw tuna cubes sat on top of a creamy hazelnut and bean pure while a fatty pork jowl was balanced by a tart salsa verde and sprigs of purslane.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The only risk to consider here is Seattle’s pure dominance at home.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Healthy ligustrum should regrow quickly with adequate water and a slow-release landscape fertilizer application, as permitted.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
-
The region's landscape provides adequate cover for the groups to avoid military strikes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Guests don’t even need to leave the Torre Virreyes building to dine at a few other top restaurants in the area, including the aforementioned Carmela y Sal, which has one of the city’s best tasting menus.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Shohei Ohtani also put together good at-bats.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Colicchio is honest enough to walk up to that line and examine it.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
Because either McCluskie is one heck of a con man who rolled both Becerra and Williamson, making both believe what was happening was kosher with entirely different tales, or someone isn’t being entirely honest.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
My son’s friend is an exemplary young man, polite and respectful in all ways except one.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
My son’s friend is an exemplary young man — polite and respectful in all ways except one.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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