Synonyms of decent

decent

adjective

ˈdē-sᵊnt 

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

• nice
• honorable
• good
• honest
• ethical
• true
• moral
• worthy
• virtuous
• noble
• right
• straight
• upright
• righteous
• all right
• respected
• just
• proper
• correct
• right-minded
• legitimate
• exemplary
• pure
• decorous
• commendable
• creditable
• principled
• innocent
• reputable
• seemly
• clean
• inoffensive
• unobjectionable
• immaculate
• high-minded
• esteemed
• irreproachable
• incorruptible
• spotless
• blameless
• scrupulous
• guiltless
• angelic
• unerring
• upstanding
• uncorrupted
• moralistic
• law-abiding
• sanctimonious
• menschy
• lily-white
• incorrupt
• rectitudinous
• goody-goody
• self-righteous
• pharisaical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bad
• wrong
• indecent
• evil
• wicked
• improper
• sinful
• dishonest
• immoral
• dishonorable
• unethical
• incorrect
• corrupt
• unseemly
• naughty
• unrighteous
• degenerate
• depraved
• unbecoming
• unscrupulous
• atrocious
• perverted
• low
• dissolute
• debased
• indecorous
• debauched
• unprincipled
• base
• infamous
• vicious
• mean
• vile
• villainous
• offensive
• objectionable
• evil-minded
• libertine
• nefarious
• reprobate
• blameworthy
• iniquitous
• fallen
• errant
• erring

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

• honorable
• honest
• ethical
• respectable
• noble
• good
• nice
• principled
• righteous
• upright
• just
• upstanding
• proper
• stand-up
• conscientious
• moral
• unimpeachable
• unassailable
• classy
• respected
• irreproachable
• polite
• blameless
• guiltless
• virtuous
• reputable
• fair
• chivalrous
• scrupulous
• incorruptible
• uncorrupted
• high-minded
• right-minded
• decorous
• menschy
• seemly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• low
• base
• bad
• unworthy
• unjust
• dishonest
• criminal
• dishonorable
• ignoble
• unethical
• unprincipled
• evil
• corrupt
• mean
• reprehensible
• rotten
• sinful
• immoral
• unrighteous
• unfair
• nefarious
• crooked
• iniquitous
• wretched
• wicked
• roguish
• unscrupulous
• vile
• rascally
• villainous
• loose
• knavish
• culpable
• shameful
• disgraceful
• blameworthy
• degraded
• disreputable
• censurable
• scoundrelly
• degenerate
• perverse
• blackguardly
• depraved
• decadent
• perverted
• dissolute
• blamable
• debased
• profligate
• venal
• debauched
• demoralized
• dissipated
• libertine
• reprobate

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

• proper
• polite
• respectable
• satisfactory
• nice
• acceptable
• decorous
• correct
• adequate
• formal
• elegant
• genteel
• befitting
• dress
• seemly
• tolerable
• dignified
• gracious
• relevant
• de rigueur
• dressy
• congenial
• apt
• prim
• compatible
• permitted
• harmonious
• authorized
• stuffy
• kosher
• priggish
• material
• allowed
• stiff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improper
• indecent
• unsatisfactory
• inappropriate
• unacceptable
• incorrect
• informal
• casual
• intolerable
• unseemly
• unbecoming
• shabby
• indelicate
• seedy
• tacky
• ungenteel
• indecorous
• barred
• prohibited
• forbidden
• grungy
• awkward
• disallowed
• proscribed
• gauche
• outlawed
• banned
• ungraceful
• interdicted

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

• pure
• modest
• immaculate
• clean
• chaste
• decorous
• virginal
• proper
• vestal
• G-rated
• virgin
• unblemished
• spotless
• harmless
• unsullied
• stainless
• untarnished
• untainted
• refined
• lily-white
• tasteful
• unsoiled
• unspotted
• seemly
• inoffensive
• innocuous
• unstained
• cultivated
• undefiled
• innocent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indecent
• coarse
• filthy
• dirty
• obscene
• vulgar
• unclean
• immodest
• impure
• improper
• smutty
• stained
• unchaste
• spotted
• blemished
• tarnished
• soiled
• tainted
• unseemly
• crude
• ribald
• tasteless
• indecorous
• indelicate
• tacky
• unrefined
• sullied
• defiled

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

• adequate
• good
• satisfactory
• fine
• acceptable
• respectable
• OK
• serviceable
• passable
• useful
• tolerable
• suitable
• all right
• fairish
• minimal
• worthy
• mediocre
• average
• up to snuff
• middling
• agreeable
• bearable
• fair
• standard
• appropriate
• proper
• ordinary
• indifferent
• satisfying
• fitting
• common
• correct
• endurable
• so-so
• right
• due
• meet
• sufferable
• unexceptional
• second-rate
• run-of-the-mill
• run-of-the-mine
• gratifying
• seemly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inadequate
• insufficient
• lacking
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• wanting
• deficient
• wrong
• useless
• cheap
• improper
• bad
• indecent
• unsuitable
• unworthy
• objectionable
• pitiful
• disagreeable
• unfit
• shoddy
• poor
• imperfect
• short
• disreputable
• defective
• incomplete
• meager
• insufficient
• lamentable
• faulty
• spare
• shabby
• skimpy
• great
• scanty
• mean
• special
• miserly
• stingy
• unbearable
• optimal
• maximum
• intolerable
• exceptional
• atrocious
• optimum
• miserable
• superb
• wonderful
• fancy
• terrific
• extreme
• splendid
• superior
• first-class
• wretched
• insufferable
• vile
• supreme
• unendurable
• execrable
• exquisite
• dissatisfying
• stellar
• neat
• prime
• premium
• unparalleled
• marvelous
• top
• noble
• classic
• peerless
• divine
• fabulous
• superlative
• first-rate
• high-grade
• unmatched
• matchless
• grand
• nifty
• sensational
• keen
• heavenly
• dandy
• sterling
• preeminent
• banner
• par excellence
• swell
• unsurpassed
• capital
• top-notch
• A1
• boss
• supernal
• maximized
• groovy
• tip-top
• crackerjack
• bang-up
• jim-dandy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word decent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of decent are chaste, modest, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits

decent people didn't go to such movies

When is chaste a more appropriate choice than decent?

The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of decent?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decent

Sarandos was speaking after a difficult period for Netflix, during which its shares tumbled despite decent third quarter results. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

When a manageable investment can bring a decent return, producers can risk something unfamiliar, and audiences can afford to try it. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Columnist Anita Chabria on what decent people get wrong about the Amy Acton ad. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

The Ravens put together one more decent drive, but on fourth-and-2 from the Cincinnati 12, Tyler Huntley threw incomplete. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026