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decorous

adjective

ˈde-kər-əs How to pronounce decorous (audio)
Definition of decorousnext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 decorous But such disagreements tended to be handled with the decorous language of diplomacy. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Its decorous leaves are not even an inch long. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026 Pentagon leaders have almost always publicly couched the military’s use of violence in decorous euphemisms designed to show the solemnity of lethality. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026 Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
  1. polite
  2. formal
  3. proper
  4. ceremonious
  5. respectable
  6. nice
  7. satisfactory
  8. correct
Adjective
  • Madison is very soft-spoken, very pretty, and effortlessly polite, immediately offering to fetch me a hat from her car for the ride.
    — Marley Marius, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Despite being the literal opposite of confrontational, you’re encouraged to push past the polite lack of response someone gives you today.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • The formal rooms have also been adapted to contemporary life.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The decision to construct the film around precisely five-minute takes presents a formidable formal and technical challenge.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • The proper accounting of military fatalities has implications beyond public transparency.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of ceremonious
Adjective
  • LaFleur winces, until learning the Packers were a respectable 16th in core-four performance (as measured by Expected Points Added) last season.
    — Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • After a respectable but not massive viewership for Season 1, the series found itself somewhat on the bubble last year.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • The seating bowl has a nice feel to it and its purple seats and accents certainly telegraph the home team.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Like other cities but nicer people and beautiful streets and public transportation.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of nice
Adjective
  • Not ready for prime time The video-generation technology rarely gets the content right on its first try, Sun said, adding that her team takes at least 10 attempts to create a satisfactory 15-second clip.
    — Ling Wei, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The ride quality in my tester was more than satisfactory; a good thing given the infamous Atlanta traffic.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of satisfactory
Adjective
  • But Coulter is correct that complying with Act 372 will require, well, compliance efforts.
    — Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Election officials determined my eligibility, prepared and sent the correct ballot and accepted it under applicable law.
    — Lee Moak, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

decorative
decorous
decorously
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Cite this Entry

“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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