DECENCY Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

decency

noun

ˈdē-sᵊn-sē

Definition of decency

as in etiquette

socially acceptable behavior the standards of basic decency demanded that they help the old lady with her groceries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 decency That’s not to absolve individuals from common sense or basic decency. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026 Excuse me, but where is the decency and humanity from these bloodthirsty fiends ogling and angling to get their photos, undoubtedly for posting on social media? — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026 Especially our respect for nature, for the other, and for our sense of kindness and decency. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026 And that is typical of the man, a real encapsulation of his talent and his decency as a human being. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency

Noun

Workers are divided over whether the drink is harmless or a breach of professional etiquette—and recruiters are split, too.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
In an era when everyone totes water bottles from the gym, to breakfast meetings, to the office, and then to dinner, the lines of personal beverage etiquette have blurred.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of etiquette

Noun

This perception of threat, intertwined with a harsh interpretation of religious morality, dominated 17th-century life, with the optimistic, protective and compassionate aspects of Christianity often overpowered by fear and a desire to judge.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Andie is a creature of pure ambition and nearly blank morality, a sweatshirt-wearing, 2000s-era daughter of Lady Macbeth and Faye Dunaway in Network, though Wever purposefully didn’t revisit that film to keep her own performance distinct.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of morality

Noun

In a statement, the Libertarian Party of Tarrant County voiced its support of the plaintiffs and called the decorum policy a step in the direction of censorship.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
Judges thanked the audience for maintaining a respectful decorum for an intense and sensitive case.

— Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of decorum

Noun

What is striking is that all these versions agree on her shyness, modesty, and propriety.

— Eva Blanco Medina, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026
That sense of propriety was partly imposed upon him by his father, who, in covering up John’s misdeed, placed an albatross around his son’s neck, demanding his conformity to a narrow sort of principle.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of propriety

Noun

Though there are multiple interpretations of sharia, its essence is to serve as a code for how Muslims should live and worship — covering such matters as prayer, pilgrimages, fasting, charitable donations and personal virtue.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Baek Ki-hyeon aspired to walk a path of virtue and provide for their sister through honest means — but his calculating spymaster big brother was never going to let them out of his grasp.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtue

Noun

Responding with curiosity instead of immediate defensiveness teaches people that honesty is useful rather than dangerous.

— Kristina Aran, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Thrown together with him again, Billie has to confront the honesty and the deception that brought their relationship to an end.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of honesty

Browse Nearby Words

decelerations

decency

decent

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Style

“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of decency

noun

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