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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
  • And it’s been nice to have it as kind of an every-now-and-again encore to surprise the audience and give a little bit of love to the cities that have shown me a lot of love over the years.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 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
  • Happening in early May, the festival’s events are pure Americana.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
  • Hydration is key When working in the heat, avoid sugary drinks and opt for pure water or water with electrolytes.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 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
  • The appraisal was not crude, but rather honest and profound.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 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
  • Cheering for such idealism used to feel corny; all the cool, caped crusaders had ethical kinks.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • There’s a difference between being polite and being passive.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 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 16 Jul. 2025.

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