1
as in nice
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue
as decent and kind a couple as you could ever hope to meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
decent clothing for someone attending a funeral, if only as a friend of a friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
students were warned that their skits could be funny but still had to remain decent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards
he did a decent job on the project, but there's still room for improvement
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 decent
But any decent designer can make a pretty book cover.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The little factory, which still employed 49 people, used to be a decent-sized tourist attraction.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Courts have done a decent job of enforcing them.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Our next storm system will arrive early next week with seasonal temperatures and a decent rain chance across Central Texas.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decent
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
The little factory, which still employed 49 people, used to be a decent-sized tourist attraction.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Courts have done a decent job of enforcing them.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Our next storm system will arrive early next week with seasonal temperatures and a decent rain chance across Central Texas.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
-
Attendees said D’Amaro came across as charming and he and Walden, who joined halfway through, had a nice rapport, with both looking happy and excited.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Elizondo, who had a nice game all around, led the Eagles with 13 points including 2 threes.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though the art that first spoke to me was honest and honorable depictions of Black life, I have since been inspired, gutted and changed by artists from all walks of life.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson called LaMalfa an honorable public servant and recounted the two working together to deliver help for wildfire victims.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hunting groups say this is an overestimation of deer numbers, and that the organization has never had a proper management plan.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Darn Tough Hiker Merino Wool Crew Socks Whether hot or cold, the proper cushioned sock can help regulate temperature in shoes and keep your feet extra comfortable.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together heavy cream, plain yogurt, pure vanilla extract, and the seeds from a vanilla bean.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Silk For an array of colorful silk pajamas, check out the options for this pure silk pajama set.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Periodically, curb lanes were only partially cleared, and adequate radiuses were mostly ignored.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Unfortunately, neither is adequate.—
David Szondy
February 07,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The numbers have been slowly ticking up for over a year – a rare bit of good news for a government that has spent billions of dollars for more than a decade encouraging people to do just that.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Scroll through the week’s best of celebrity beauty and pop culture’s glam below, and head to the app to vote for your favorite.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But these songs are also honest, sometimes despite themselves, about the feelings of impotence associated with watching history play out on a screen.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
At least Mamdani was honest and campaigned as a socialist.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Jim Dickinson stepped in to produce and play a little piano, but Travis deemed the results too polished, too polite, too bourgeois.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Messy is a polite way to describe the silos of vitriol that have turned hate into a national pastime.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
