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
His anomalous body lacked decency.
—
Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Perhaps because of Chicago’s many diverse neighborhoods, or its blue-collar history, or its frigid winters, the city epitomizes the values of hard work, kindness toward others, humility, and basic common-sense and decency.
—Daniel Holz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Slayyyter’s music is vile, explicit, and a threat to common decency.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decency
Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Perhaps because of Chicago’s many diverse neighborhoods, or its blue-collar history, or its frigid winters, the city epitomizes the values of hard work, kindness toward others, humility, and basic common-sense and decency.
—Daniel Holz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Slayyyter’s music is vile, explicit, and a threat to common decency.
—Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency
Noun
-
From walkway etiquette to line behavior, small choices can shape the experience for everyone around you.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Riding on buses and trains in Seoul, Lee encountered electronic signs instructing riders on the etiquette of using public transportation.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the course of 10 years of activism, Maryam Shojaei has been arrested by Iran’s morality police, helped change FIFA policy, and watched her brother, Masoud, captain Iran’s national team.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Days ago, Vice President JD Vance urged the pope to stick to matters of morality.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That, too, was a violation of Graf's decorum order.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
What once might have sounded like a genuine political emergency or a violation of constitutional decorum begins to register as just another day in American political life.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the program, students will develop the core competencies needed to lead with integrity and drive meaningful organizational change.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In 2025, results from the Advanced Test Reactor indicated that ANEEL fuel pellets maintained their structural integrity after several months of testing.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kay also challenged the propriety of statements made by the prosecutor during her closing arguments.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Larkin found that Muslim viewers in Kano reinterpreted Bollywood films through an Islamic moral lens, reading their narratives as reinforcing local values of propriety and ethical conduct.—
Gareth Barkin,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All virtues rely on some set of conditions for their relevance.—
Nikhil Krishnan,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is non-serious lawmaking — a transparent virtue-signal rather than an effort at problem-solving.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In his homily Saturday, delivered in French, Leo said the respect for human dignity was a cornerstone of every society.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
What needs no modification, however, is the battered dignity of Sam’s presence.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That naturally raised questions, not about whether the laws of time and space had been upended but about the efficacy, and honesty, of the billing systems being used by the firms, the city or both.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But even though abusive relationships tend to form tragic patterns, honesty isn’t all that’s necessary for a good narrative, and this one proves repetitive.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
