decency

noun

ˈdē-sᵊn-sē How to pronounce decency (audio)
Definition of decencynext
1
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
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 Yet while lacking in decency and, frankly, class, Cannibal Holocaust features extremely effective queasy quasi-realism. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 And yet as cynical and beaten-down as the film’s viewpoint can often be, there is still a spark of decency and perseverance. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 This is not simply a matter of policy, but of basic human decency. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Has Sugar’s inherent decency become something of a moral palate cleanser for Oz’s wicked ways? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for decency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency
  1. etiquette
  2. morality
  3. decorum
  4. integrity
  5. propriety
  6. virtue
  7. dignity
  8. honesty
Noun
  • But what should have been a pretty mundane meal spiraled into a heated viral debate about in-flight food etiquette when fellow passengers started to complain about the smell.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
  • Of course, Genevieve Dreizen, a modern-day etiquette and boundaries expert and COO and co-founder of Fresh Starts Registry, says when in doubt, a good rule of thumb is just to bring the child who is invited.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 12 July 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • Yes, these stories have monsters in them, heroic adventures, and black-and-white morality tales.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • But there’s a difference between narrating crime scenes at a remove and wrestling with the lingering morality of it all.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
Definition of morality
Noun
  • Like Boosie, Fox is a Southern rambler out of West Memphis, Arkansas (just like his streaming juggernaut twin brother, YTB Fatt) without a filter or a sense of decorum.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
  • Don’t let things like rules and decorum get in the way of what’s in it for him.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of decorum
Noun
  • Georgia Bedell contends that the Planning and Zoning Commission last winter didn’t do a meaningful review of the effect on air quality, water contamination nor the integrity of the nearby aquifer.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
  • Emotional intelligence and leadership humility help executives to lead with integrity and accountability, which fosters a culture of respect and continuous improvement.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of integrity
Noun
  • The strongest works in The New Grotesque ingloriously depict the female body as qualified and discarded in equal measure, a battlefield on which wars over propriety are fought.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
  • Some are in-house, propriety applications developed by larger companies.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of propriety
Noun
  • Here is what that looks like in mine, offered as practice rather than virtue.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • There are of course also individuals who are just narcissistic, selfish and virtue-signaling under the guise of concern, sources said.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of virtue
Noun
  • When serious illness interrupts that, there should be more space for care, dignity and support.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 16 July 2026
  • Efira stars as Marie-Lou, the director of an elderly care facility who is fighting to institute a philosophy of care built on listening and respect for her residents’ dignity, over the resistance of her own staff.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of dignity
Noun
  • Also known as the money plant or honesty, lunaria (Lunaria annua) is an intriguing biennial that produces clusters of purple flowers during the first year of growth and silver, paper-like seed pods the second year, then dies.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026
  • The honesty and objectivity of Stars and Stripes can’t be overemphasized.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Definition of honesty

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decelerations
decency
decent
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Cite this Entry

“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of decency for Spanish Speakers

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