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
His public defense team, led by Anne Taylor, has tried — to no avail — to remove capital punishment as a sentencing option, arguing that the death penalty is unconstitutional, breaks with evolving standards of decency and is arbitrarily applied.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Mar. 2025
How it got expressed in Tony was not sharp elbows, but a boundless, Midwestern good nature, and decency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
The spectacle that resulted was a striking exception (to history, to world stability, to decency).
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
Ridley Scott gave Gladiator the kind of scope and muscularity appropriate for a swords-and-sandals epic, and Crowe’s rugged decency made for an inspiring underdog.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Mar. 2025
How it got expressed in Tony was not sharp elbows, but a boundless, Midwestern good nature, and decency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
The spectacle that resulted was a striking exception (to history, to world stability, to decency).
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
Ridley Scott gave Gladiator the kind of scope and muscularity appropriate for a swords-and-sandals epic, and Crowe’s rugged decency made for an inspiring underdog.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency
Noun
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Today’s etiquette does require hosts to ask in advance whether their guests have eating restrictions.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Dear Life Kit is NPR's advice column, where experts answer tricky questions about relationships, social etiquette, work culture and more.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Elsewhere, an extra treat out of the showcase was this exclusive interview with Bullet Train Explosion director Shinji Higuchi, who talked casting singer-actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and the morality behind the film.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
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There are great Star Wars projects and terrible Star Wars projects, but even the best ones, like Empire Strikes Back, are framed in relative black-and-white morality, designed to evoke the kid-friendly pulp and adventure stories that George Lucas loved so much as a child.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Tuscany with a side of magic: Savoring Bolivia’s wine country Singapore is known for its decorum rules, such as no spitting or chewing gum.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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Unfortunately, many, such as U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, have abandoned that decorum, resorting to profanity that was once unthinkable in professional settings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2025
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Given influencer marketing's rise to a multi-billion-dollar industry, integrity is more important now than ever.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Questions of fairness The law commands respect, and courtesy and propriety are always in order.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2025
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As the century moved on, the Times became a totem of middle-class culture and propriety.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Panthers qualified for nationals by virtue of winning its third straight Conference USA title.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2025
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Moral exemplars are connected in a fundamental way to virtue ethics – a framework of behavior based in core virtues such as honesty, bravery and kindness.—
George Tsakiridis,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His tailoring speaks to a form of dignity rooted not only in fit and cut but in care.—
Shelton Boyd-Griffith,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
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And Francis, the first Jesuit pope, spoke often about art, music, literature and cinema — both as instruments of evangelization and guardians of human dignity.—
Jason Farago,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lennox’s honesty sparked a wave of support from fellow artists then, including Kehlani and T-Pain, who empathized with her struggles and encouraged her to pursue independence.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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And increasingly, honesty is what consumers are willing to pay for.—
Zoe Bayliss Wong,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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