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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Everyone has the right to human decency, especially by our law enforcement and COs. — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 At least Payton had the decency to meet the media for an unscheduled press conference Thursday rather than send Webb to the wolves (think Nuggets’ David Adelman as the first public voice on Michael Malone’s firing). — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 At least Mark Zuckerberg had the decency to be duplicitous, Altman is just openly consumed by the mania of trying to win the most important technological arms race since the atom bomb. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 An unmanaged spreadsheet has the decency to sit there until someone opens it. — Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 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

Not sincere, caring concern, and not questions about the legality or morality of Grace’s ultimatum.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
Their morality, as Peter Thiel taught Sam Altman, is to become a monopoly — that’s the only true business, is to be a monopoly.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of morality

Noun

The blunderbuss of violations of the basic decorum and dignity of democracy have become such a daily matter that the increasingly familiar response is to sigh and surrender.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
However, her choice of a plainer variety for Monday’s festivities fit with the occasion’s decorum.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of decorum

Noun

Although without Netanyahu’s charisma, Eisenkot, the son of Jewish immigrants from Morocco, is widely regarded by voters as a man of integrity.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
In response, the ambassadors of France and Spain made public statements emphasizing the importance of a credible electoral process and the need for Haiti’s next president to have integrity.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 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

The nod to purity emphasized the paint brand’s relationship to cleanliness and virtue, and possibly other notions of bigotry.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
For Monday meditation, the teaching group has assigned the 10 paramis (spiritual virtues) of Buddhism, which explore topics like generosity, wisdom and patience.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 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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“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of decency

noun

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