Synonyms of decency

decency

noun

ˈdē-sᵊn-sē 

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

• etiquette
• decorum
• propriety
• morality
• dignity
• prudence
• form
• civility
• fitness
• courtesy
• politeness
• honesty
• integrity
• gentility
• refinement
• graciousness
• grace
• appropriateness
• virtue
• correctness
• goodness
• discretion
• politesse
• honor
• courteousness
• carefulness
• care
• attentiveness
• rightness
• rectitude
• attention
• probity
• seemliness
• correctitude
• gentilesse
• uprightness
• righteousness
• mannerliness
• straightness
• decorousness
• high-mindedness
• virtuousness
• character

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indecency
• impropriety
• vulgarity
• coarseness
• crudeness
• evil
• discourtesy
• incivility
• indiscretion
• indecorum
• immorality
• badness
• degradation
• imprudence
• wickedness
• gracelessness
• perversion
• depravity
• degeneracy
• impoliteness
• dishonesty
• debauchery
• crookedness
• unscrupulousness
• underhandedness

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

• morality
• integrity
• virtue
• honesty
• goodness
• morals
• ethics
• character
• rightness
• honor
• rectitude
• probity
• uprightness
• righteousness
• virtuousness
• decorum
• etiquette
• incorruptibility
• propriety
• appropriateness
• correctness
• scrupulousness
• fitness
• high-mindedness
• seemliness
• right-mindedness
• scrupulosity
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness
• decorousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• evil
• immorality
• badness
• wickedness
• villainy
• sin
• indecency
• impropriety
• indiscretion
• iniquity
• degradation
• perversion
• depravity
• indecorum
• evildoing
• degeneracy
• sinfulness
• dishonesty
• debauchery
• meanness
• unscrupulousness
• viciousness
• vileness
• crookedness
• corruption
• lowness
• underhandedness
• pervertedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decency

And while homosexuality isn’t outlawed in Egypt, members of the LGBTQ+ community can be prosecuted for violating public decency laws. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

One of the beauties of sports is that fans are forced to pick a side, but there is a stark difference in cheering for your side and aggressively cheering against the opposition with zero form of decency. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026

There was no kind of ego or hubris, and the thing that struck me was his humor and his decency, and also his passion. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026

This is not about right or left, MAGA or non-MAGA, but about basic human decency — the kind of decency so much of Jim Handy’s work was informed by. — Carl Kurlander, Deadline, 13 June 2026