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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decency
The cruelty of his dishonest sham, founded on disdain for the autistic community and aimed at parents of autistic children, defies decency.
—
Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2025
Central to this was America; central with ideas, with wealth, with technological leadership and, above all, with decency.
—Llewellyn King, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
In an era when political discourse so often descends into outrage and division — on cable news, in Congress, even in school board races — the quiet decency shown in Skokie feels all the more remarkable.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
This is a different kind of World War II love story, about a hidden jewel and the power of radio waves and the mysterious ways in which human decency can survive even the cruelest circumstances.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2025
Central to this was America; central with ideas, with wealth, with technological leadership and, above all, with decency.
—Llewellyn King, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
In an era when political discourse so often descends into outrage and division — on cable news, in Congress, even in school board races — the quiet decency shown in Skokie feels all the more remarkable.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
This is a different kind of World War II love story, about a hidden jewel and the power of radio waves and the mysterious ways in which human decency can survive even the cruelest circumstances.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decency
Noun
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Today’s etiquette does require hosts to ask in advance whether their guests have eating restrictions.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Haislip, along with a partner, conducts courses teaching etiquette to everyone from children and teens (at both public and private schools) to adults and business professionals.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Elsewhere, an extra treat out of the showcase was this exclusive interview with Bullet Train Explosion director Shinji Higuchi, who talked casting singer-actor Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and the morality behind the film.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
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There are great Star Wars projects and terrible Star Wars projects, but even the best ones, like Empire Strikes Back, are framed in relative black-and-white morality, designed to evoke the kid-friendly pulp and adventure stories that George Lucas loved so much as a child.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With the shocking exception of the attack on Mr. Rushdie, a certain sense of decorum is still observed at even the most contentious lectures.—
Christopher Maag,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Like it or not the old standards of decorum, demeanor are long gone in all walks of life — sports, media, entertainment, politics.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2025
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Given influencer marketing's rise to a multi-billion-dollar industry, integrity is more important now than ever.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Questions of fairness The law commands respect, and courtesy and propriety are always in order.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2025
-
As the century moved on, the Times became a totem of middle-class culture and propriety.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Panthers qualified for nationals by virtue of winning its third straight Conference USA title.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2025
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Moral exemplars are connected in a fundamental way to virtue ethics – a framework of behavior based in core virtues such as honesty, bravery and kindness.—
George Tsakiridis,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His tailoring speaks to a form of dignity rooted not only in fit and cut but in care.—
Shelton Boyd-Griffith,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
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And Francis, the first Jesuit pope, spoke often about art, music, literature and cinema — both as instruments of evangelization and guardians of human dignity.—
Jason Farago,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lennox’s honesty sparked a wave of support from fellow artists then, including Kehlani and T-Pain, who empathized with her struggles and encouraged her to pursue independence.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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And increasingly, honesty is what consumers are willing to pay for.—
Zoe Bayliss Wong,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decency. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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