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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Recent Examples of decorous
California native of the week: California geranium (Geranium californium) is a perennial endemic to the Sierra Nevada that grows into a one-foot mound bearing flowers in white, pink, or lavender with large, highly decorous palmate leaves.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
Adjective
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At the center of it was Catherine, vividly sending up an entire genre of the show-business underbelly that no one ever referenced on polite middle-American network television.—
Merrill Markoe,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
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And even then, it was couched in the polite, ambiguous language.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But observers expect that once the settlement agreement has received formal approval, borrowers with affected student loans will be quickly forced to select a different repayment plan, or the Education Department will choose for them.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The base fare for many ships also includes numerous dining venues with frequently changing menus, from casual buffets to a more formal sit-down meal.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This neighborhood was not as grand as Harlem proper, but everyone who hung their hat here knew its allure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Combined with proper nutrition, exercise creates lasting results, not quick fixes.—
Fred Sassani,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
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More convincing in the film is cinematographer Talant Akynbekov’s observant, almost ceremonious lensing of carpet weaving, as well as of the beats of everyday life, sometimes accompanied by the traditional tunes villagers hum.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The mainstreaming of the great replacement theory in the United Kingdom, and the surge of the overtly racist Reform Party, was assisted by such headlines as christian child forced into muslim foster care in a once-respectable broadsheet like the Times.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Falcons played a respectable game on the road at New England in November, but were blown out at home by Seattle in December.—
D. Orlando Ledbetter,
AJC.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And this is in a nice, pretty on-campus facility, not the old, dumpy Astrodome (although the Astrodome is still up, which is another story).—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
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Here’s how to stay safe The recent snow and ice storm turned much of the nation into a winter wonderland—from the safety of a nice, cozy sofa indoors.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Yeah … very satisfactory to hear that.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The quality of basketball has been less polished than usual, but the results have been satisfactory.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In other words, these analysts are about as likely to make a correct pick as a corgi on TikTok that predicts sporting-event results by hitting a beach ball into a basket.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
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The group were also without gloves and the correct climbing equipment for their feet, per the Craven Herald.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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