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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 So being hard on yourself or someone else who is trying their best to raise decent humans won’t get you anywhere good. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 3 July 2025 Overall decent tax policy and overall irresponsible domestic spending. The Editors, National Review, 3 July 2025 But its ratings were decent, and it’s been well-documented that its stars Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen are itching to return for more. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Building a high-functioning AI agent isn’t cheap: from $5,000 at the low end to upwards of $20,000 just to get something decent off the ground. Brando Murphy, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • Specialty restaurants on Westerdam, which come at an extra cost, include Pinnacle Grill, a steakhouse-style affair serving prime steaks and seafood, and Canaletto, which does nice Italian fare.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025
  • Utilizing a body oil with SPF gives your skin that nice summer glow while also shielding it from harsh UV rays.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Different views on the topic Some readers challenge the emphasis on political decorum, arguing that respect must be earned through honorable conduct rather than election victories.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
  • Or that America's founding principles are honorable and created a superpower that leads the world.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Eggs themselves are not a source of collagen—but the egg white specifically contains proline and glycine, two essential amino acids for proper collagen production.
    Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • The potential disasters of treating art like traditional investments far outweigh the cost of proper planning.
    Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • As Electrek points out, the E-VO isn't a pure Honda product.
    Utkarsh Sood June 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
  • Add in the pure creativity and skill of Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat (legit competitors in their own rights, albeit in smaller bodies), and the two-way play of Dylan Larkin and Nate Danielson, and the future forward lineup starts to look pretty balanced.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Inhibiting top talent’s potential by withholding adequate support for their bold initiatives exposes a company mistaking activity for true, impactful progress.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Reasons the Evidence Is Mixed Bananas are rich in healthy nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and vitamins A, B6, and C.1 Muscles require adequate levels of electrolytes to function properly.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Jamie Lee Curtis got honest about her cosmetic procedures in the hopes of dissuading women from making the same mistake.
    Maria Yagoda, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • Maybe the most important feature of actual freedom is the ability to make honest and fair criticism of your country, something which feels more and more taboo.
    Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Managers are the ethical gatekeepers responsible for monitoring outputs and ensuring alignment with company values.
    Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Those cases are among dozens of complaints of ethical misconduct that have been effectively dismissed over the past two years as the Missouri Ethics Commission remains hobbled by vacancies.
    Kacen Bayless July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a difference between being polite and being passive.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Fittingly, a green laser shined out into the crowd as attendees turned from polite listeners to a rowdy mosh pit, singing every word.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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