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
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
Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
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
Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
Adjective
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The rather polite 47-year-old Englishman remained transfixed on the massive video board down the hill.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Even polite England is experiencing massive strikes and angry marches.—
Renaud Foucart,
Time,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is his first full album since the end of the YSL trial and his formal release from prison, following his guilty plea on October 31, 2024.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Still, if the DNI made a formal recommendation, the State Department is the issuing authority for foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designations.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Without proper padding and protection, your device risks scratches, dents, or worse, internal damage.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
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Additional resources for homeless children and youth Phoenix Union launched a district resource center after Tercero learned some students weren’t attending class due to a lack of proper clothing.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In Japan, the first of those mills made a respectable 220 hp and 210 ft lbs of torque, while the second made 276 hp and 318 ft lbs of torque.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
25 Sep. 2025
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And maybe then the tide will turn and Miami’s defense can get back to being respectable.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With a turtleneck and jeans For an ensemble that’s nice (and warm) enough to wear in practically any situation, just add an eye-catching topper to your usual cold-weather combo.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
26 Sep. 2025
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Which would make a nice change of pace from the collective teeth-gnashing in FoCo lately.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The answer was not satisfactory to management, sources say.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
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Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told USA TODAY that since its initial request for the information in July, the department hasn't given her satisfactory answers about how the information would be used.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Though Collier crashed to the court after the collision, the National Basketball Referees Association posted a highlight of the play on social media explaining why officials were correct not to blow the whistle.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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How much glue should there be between the whole thing to get the balance correct?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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