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
Relevance
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
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
The theives don't have the common decency to eat the bulbs.
—
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
And that system must be taken on at the cost of family, at the cost of friendship, at the cost of decency, at the cost of basic human capacity for success.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Applying a decency standard in awarding support is vague.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Their actions violated the Constitution, California civil rights law, and basic human decency.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
And that system must be taken on at the cost of family, at the cost of friendship, at the cost of decency, at the cost of basic human capacity for success.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Applying a decency standard in awarding support is vague.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Their actions violated the Constitution, California civil rights law, and basic human decency.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency
Noun
-
The short video clip sparked online debate about culture, class and proper etiquette for eating certain foods.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Taking the high-road—and practicing good meeting etiquette—can ultimately be an effective way to earn recognition, show genuine commitment, and build credibility.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
However, by the time of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, which allowed the Taliban to return to power, the perception of the morality and efficacy of that long war had dwindled in the international community.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To be a genre television spy requires a particular sense of morality and truth, coupled with a self-preservation instinct that means never letting your guard down.—
Lily Osler,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Usually, nothing happens, because that’s the beauty of us everywhere, there’s the same story, just the decorum changes and the dynamic changes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Others just get giddy having a green light to upend society’s rules of decorum, even for a short window of time.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The three faced off in two contentious debates in October, in which Mamdani and Cuomo sparred over issues of integrity and experience while Sliwa sought to paint them as two sides of the same ideological coin.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Using the formal language of propriety to mask a slap in the face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
At this point, the proprieties of writing op eds call upon us to offer citations to this effect.—
Oded J K Faran,
Oc Register,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In a sector where sustainability often stops at the label, this model carries the virtue of being both circular and selfless.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Just as personal vices can shape the course of an individual life, so too can national vices influence our collective experience, maybe as much as our virtues—or possibly even more.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Crown and dignity Catalina Ruiz Navarro, a Colombian feminist activist and journalist based in Mexico City, argued that the nature of beauty pageants like Miss Universe places women in a patriarchal position.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
There is no dignity, and no justice, in a system that buries an elderly woman alive in silence.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Someone could surprise you with honesty, or a connection could flip overnight.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But Seehorn learned through Gould on Saul that honesty in any direction leads to the respect of an audience, not shameless pandering.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share