1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
we were asked to be on our most decorous behavior at the formal event
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
the oppressively decorous standards of a royal court
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decorous
The teenager, who spoke in hushed, decorous bursts, had months earlier shot rats near a friend’s camp in Manchac, dressed the carcasses (an intricate process, given the animal’s size), and frozen their haunches.
—
Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
—Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
—Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
Adjective
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There is polite applause as Cristian Romero cushions a ball from the sky.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Being polite and understanding how to function around a group of people, being open and friendly.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In Akita, local authorities requested formal military assistance from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, saying their existing measures – including box traps and bear repellent sprays – weren’t enough.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Being Running Fence’s associate project director was my first formal job in the arts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Old Medications Regularly checking expiration dates in your fridge or pantry might already be a part of your cleaning routine, but that medicine cabinet full of little bottles could go years without a proper cleanout.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The band’s official end was even less ceremonious.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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The extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the collective 2,700 horsepower delivers a top speed of 36 knots, which is very respectable for a 71-foot luxury motoryacht.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
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Syracuse started the season a respectable 3-1, with its only loss in its first four games being its season opener against Tennessee in Atlanta.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Ten-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas with a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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To those earning $50,000 a year at their regular jobs, making $5,000 in a few nights of netting was a nice bonus.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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To receive the senior rate, a person must apply to the Rogers Water Utilities and present satisfactory proof of age, such as a government issued identification card, driver's license, passport or birth certificate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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His plan and his answers in terms of navigating those name, image, and likeness waters were not viewed satisfactory enough.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The data, to skip ahead, did clearly prove that the suspicions were correct.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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Their Week 9 victory over the Lions offered a glimpse at the correct formula.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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