DECENT Synonyms: 353 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

decent

adjective

ˈdē-sᵊnt

Definition of decent

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

following the accepted rules of moral conduct demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Exercise, sleep, a decent diet, real social connection, and staying mentally engaged all move the needle on brain health. — Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 Social Security benefits will see a decent boost after a cost-of-living adjustment hits checks in 2027. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026 With a little effort and some decent publicity, Widow’s Bay could be the next Bar Harbor or Martha’s Vineyard! — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Under the hood, the Intel Celeron N150 is a decent processor that's power-efficient, and the Google Titan C security chip keeps your machine safe from threats. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent

Adjective

There's also a small flip up carry loop, which is a nice feature for a bottle with a comparably wide diameter.

— Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026
Nor are there many studios with two full baths, a nice perk owed to the combination of two apartments and potentially a key to relationship harmony in the mornings.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

The group meets monthly and is open to those with honorable, general and other-than-honorable discharges.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026
All persons having business before this honorable court are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the court is now sitting.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

But the jet rose above the normal path aircraft take on their approach to Runway 30 before dropping altitude to return back into proper position, tracking data from Flightradar24 showed.

— Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
The 6,970-yard course is challenging but fair and open enough for all handicaps, from the proper tees, to have a good time.

— Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of proper

Adjective

Swift was born into the Anglo-Irish Protestant elite, and the text satires both the callousness of his class and a then-ascendant approach to morality and politics that held that all aspects of life could be cooked down to a pure numerical value.

— Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Instead, Bier recognizes the pure joy of seeing these women drinking margaritas again, resulting in a vivid and sweet celebration that gradually reframes aging as a process of gaining power rather than losing it.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pure

Adjective

Lyft also doesn’t fingerprint its drivers unless required by law and doesn’t provide adequate background checks, the lawsuit alleged.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2026
The state health department said North Carolina has an adequate supply of prophylaxis and would provide it to anyone who needs it.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of adequate

Adjective

Rational, honest people understand that a part of her appeal is to middle America, particularly white people in middle America.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
There’s a lot in this film to be honest, but the first one that comes to mind is probably a moment where Tyler is leading his group in a conversation with the king for the first time.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Madison is very soft-spoken, very pretty, and effortlessly polite, immediately offering to fetch me a hat from her car for the ride.

— Marley Marius, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
Despite being the literal opposite of confrontational, you’re encouraged to push past the polite lack of response someone gives you today.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of polite

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decency

decent

decently

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“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of decent

adjective

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