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 second half of The Perfect Moment is really centered on them, these four performance artists who sued the government over decency rules in funding and took it to the Supreme Court. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Neill was a performer whose bone-deep decency shone through his work and was amplified in later years by a social-media presence that featured him reminiscing about his career or hanging out with animals on his farm, or maybe cuddling a duck. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

The message of the Corcoran cancellation was that crossing some undefined line of decency gave the government license to come after you. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Southworth started focusing more specifically on civility, decency, and politeness after COVID, when many employees were fleeing the hospitality industry—all while the membership at their clubs was doubling. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026