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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

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 Offensive line Overall, the Patriots generated decent push in the run game, though not enough with eight run stuffs allowed. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 July 2025 David Berding/Getty Images Paddack, 29, has been decent for the Twins on the year, holding a 4.95 ERA across 111 innings. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025 That's a pretty decent chunk of change for a portable Bluetooth speaker ... Joe Salas july 27, New Atlas, 27 July 2025 Companies are still reporting decent profits Here's the other thing investors on Wall Street like: Corporate earnings are proving sturdier than what many in the markets had initially feared. Rafael Nam, NPR, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.
    Shalwah Evans, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.
    Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Our leadership spends its time implying anyone with origins south of our border is less than honorable and must be deported regardless of their contributions, just to feel powerful.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • Michael Roth, the president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, has taken the harder and more honorable route.
    John T. Shaw, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Women being dismissed by their healthcare providers is another culprit, says Tran, and without proper exams and X-rays, the disease goes undetected.
    Marnie Goodfriend, Flow Space, 25 July 2025
  • The trooper found no proper registration for the vehicle.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Citing the Base Realignment and Closure commission example is pure illusion.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • But given that season 2 is yet to be confirmed, this is pure speculation.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, other people who lived in the area said their wireless coverage was adequate and did not think constructing a new tower was necessary.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • For minimalists, a smaller organizer will be adequate and less obtrusive.
    Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is a great way to spot medical fraud or an honest human error like a miscoding of services.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Rebuilding company trust requires honest leadership, true accountability and a thorough examination of the company’s values — and whether they’re being lived or merely listed on the company website.
    Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Judges must prepare to spot obvious AI red flags Until courts figure out how to navigate AI—a process that may look different from court to court—Browning advocates for more education and ethical guidance for judges to steer their use and attitudes about AI.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025
  • Similarly, the ethical OM Project line from 1997 and 1998 was forward-looking.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • From a software engineering perspective, being polite is a waste of resources.
    Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Just be polite and point out the issue at checkout.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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