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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 The bank said quality bonds offer an attractive balance of risk and return, tending to outperform during market pullbacks while still providing decent income at current yields. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025 Italy’s performance at World Cup 1978 and Euro 1980 on home soil was decent enough, but their sluggish form going into the tournament meant he was mercilessly mocked in the Italian press. Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Dart played a decent game against the Eagles. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025 But movies still drew decent crowds. John Carlisle, Freep.com, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • With that in mind, his glowing comments on Jeter paid a nice tribute.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In her opinion, a courthouse wedding or a small ceremony in a family member's backyard would have been just as nice, Kate said.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Chess pros from around the world have since praised Naroditsky as an honorable player who used his online platform to make chess more accessible.
    Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When using hydrogen peroxide, wear protective gloves and eyewear to avoid irritation, ensure proper ventilation, and never mix it with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaning agents.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Add a blazer, cardigan, or trench on top—this piece is pure versatility with a side of glam.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Companies can also come under attack for pure political gain, as seen in then Republican candidate Ron DeSantis’s confrontation with Disney over LGBTQ rights.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Make sure to eat a balanced diet and get adequate calories when exercising intensely.
    Wendy Wisner, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When his father’s milestone birthday arrived, the teen saw an opportunity to be brutally honest.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other marketing, the kind of stuff that people who would need to seek out (like, oh, big fans of Bruce) is more honest, like this featurette all about Cooper’s approach to this specific time in The Boss’ life and career.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this year the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair and the CFDA staged the second edition of a New York Fashion Week showroom with two American and 10 Danish designers who prioritize environmental responsibility, ethical sourcing and innovative design.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
  • While some people are creating deep connections with AI characters, the speedy development presents ethical and safety concerns, especially for children and teenagers.
    Zach Vallese, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The place being a Midwestern park, the ghost is by all accounts pretty damn polite.
    Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Hank’s voice is gentle and polite, but that doesn’t put Aaron at ease.
    Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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