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

The novel conveys the moral decency of one man determined to do right. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026

Hospital billing departments and insurance bureaucracies operate according to spreadsheets, algorithms, and procedural scripts rather than humanity and decency in judgment. — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Having opened her home in the middle of the night, Vaughn once again strikes Kate (and me) as the very picture of decency and good faith. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Determined to save both his school and his future, Soulan resorts to increasingly desperate measures, including dangerous cross-border fuel smuggling, as his natural decency comes into conflict with his modest ambitions. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026