Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

propriety

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of propriety

1 socially acceptable behavior

  • some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
Synonyms of propriety

decency, decorum, form
Words Related to propriety

etiquette

civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentilesse, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, politeness, politesse

dignity, grace, refinement

discretion, prudence

appropriateness, correctitude, correctness, decorousness, fitness, rightness, seemliness

attention, attentiveness, care, carefulness

character, goodness, high-mindedness, honesty, honor, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness, straightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness
Near Antonyms of propriety

coarseness, crudeness, gracelessness

discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, vulgarity

imprudence, indiscretion

badness, evil, immorality, wickedness

debauchery, degeneracy, degradation, depravity, perversion

crookedness, dishonesty, underhandedness, unscrupulousness
Antonyms of propriety

impropriety, indecency, indecorum

2 proprieties plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting

  • an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society
Synonyms of propriety

etiquette, form, manner, mores
Words Related to propriety

amenities, civilities, pleasantries

bearing, demeanor, deportment, mien

courtesy, decorum, mannerliness, politeness

formalities, protocol, rules

air, attitude, carriage, poise, polish, pose, posture, presence

custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), trick, way, wont

convention, fashion, mode, style

3 the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting

  • I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses
Synonyms of propriety

appositeness, appropriateness, aptness, felicitousness, felicity, fitness, fittingness, happiness, properness, rightness, seemliness, suitability, suitableness
Words Related to propriety

agreeableness, compatibility, congruity, harmoniousness

applicability, bearing, connection, justifiability, materiality, pertinence, relevance, relevancy, validity

acceptability, adequacy, adequateness, convenience, expedience, expediency, satisfactoriness, serviceableness, usefulness
Near Antonyms of propriety

disagreeableness, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inexpedience, inexpediency, inharmoniousness, unbecomingness

immateriality, inapplicability, irrelevance, irrelevancy

meaninglessness, pointlessness
Antonyms of propriety

improperness, impropriety, inappositeness, inappropriateness, inaptness, infelicity, unfitness, unseemliness, unsuitability, wrongness

Learn More about propriety

  1. See words that rhyme with propriety Dictionary: Definition of propriety Spanish Central: Translation of propriety Nglish: Translation of propriety for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of propriety for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up propriety? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cornucopia

an inexhaustible supply or amount

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games