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

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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 This poor baby deserved the appropriate care, dedication and simple human decency. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 In Fernández’s version, Antíkona’s insubordination inspires a peoples’ rebellion and brings an end to Klion’s rule due to his inability to treat citizens with common decency. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Of Pence, who served as vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and as governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017, Sonnenfeld said Pence has displayed civility, dignity and decency throughout a lifetime of public service. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026 That’s not to absolve individuals from common sense or basic decency. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency

Noun

And there would have been girls rebelling against social etiquette back then, like, there would now.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Now the older generation is scolding workers for having a different view on interview etiquette without recognizing the cold reality of today’s job market.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of etiquette

Noun

Law & Courts A failed execution in Tennessee and plans to livestream a firing squad are recharging America’s death penalty debate, raising questions about morality and justice.

— Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026
The novel explores free will, fate, and morality, and was famously adapted into a classic film by Stanley Kubrick in 1971.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of morality

Noun

Skarsgård’s performance completely anchors the gradual descent from decorum to disorder.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of decorum

Noun

Early showings have drawn critical acclaim, but it's also been criticized by Musk himself on X, saying the film has zero integrity.

— Stephen Desaulniers,Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
That growth has fueled disputes with states and Native American tribes over regulatory authority, while drawing scrutiny from sports leagues over game integrity and from advocates who say the platforms’ accessibility increases the risk of addiction.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of integrity

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

New recruits and seasoned officers alike take field trips to the Museum of Tolerance, where trainers extol the virtues of multiculturalism.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 30 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

Elections give even the poorest Indians the prospect of dignity and agency, and as a result, voter turnout rates are routinely high.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Loss of government’s dignity Whatever the crowd’s reaction that day, the public execution had already become an argument about the nature of government.

— Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dignity

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decelerations

decency

decent

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Style

“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of decency

noun

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