Synonyms of propriety

propriety

noun

prə-ˈprī-ə-tē 

1

as in etiquette

socially acceptable behavior

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• etiquette
• decorum
• decency
• morality
• prudence
• form
• fitness
• dignity
• civility
• politeness
• courtesy
• appropriateness
• refinement
• integrity
• gentility
• honesty
• virtue
• correctness
• grace
• graciousness
• discretion
• rightness
• carefulness
• politesse
• goodness
• honor
• attentiveness
• courteousness
• rectitude
• probity
• care
• attention
• seemliness
• uprightness
• righteousness
• gentilesse
• straightness
• mannerliness
• correctitude
• decorousness
• virtuousness
• character
• high-mindedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impropriety
• indecency
• coarseness
• crudeness
• vulgarity
• indecorum
• discourtesy
• evil
• indiscretion
• incivility
• imprudence
• immorality
• degradation
• wickedness
• badness
• perversion
• gracelessness
• impoliteness
• degeneracy
• depravity
• dishonesty
• debauchery
• crookedness
• unscrupulousness
• underhandedness

2

as in manner

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 & Similar Words

• manner
• etiquette
• attitude
• politeness
• practice
• mores
• rules
• form
• convention
• decorum
• custom
• style
• protocol
• deportment
• demeanor
• civilities
• habit
• amenities
• bearing
• presence
• mien
• pleasantries
• courtesy
• formalities
• mode
• posture
• carriage
• poise
• pose
• air
• polish
• pattern
• mannerliness
• fashion
• trick
• way
• wont

3

as in appropriateness

the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appropriateness
• validity
• applicability
• relevance
• usefulness
• suitability
• relevancy
• fitness
• rightness
• aptness
• properness
• happiness
• seemliness
• felicity
• appositeness
• suitableness
• fittingness
• convenience
• compatibility
• acceptability
• congruity
• expediency
• felicitousness
• pertinence
• adequacy
• justifiability
• agreeableness
• materiality
• expedience
• harmoniousness
• bearing
• connection
• adequateness
• serviceableness
• satisfactoriness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impropriety
• inappropriateness
• unfitness
• wrongness
• unsuitability
• incompatibility
• incongruity
• infelicity
• inexpediency
• incongruence
• unseemliness
• disagreeableness
• inapplicability
• irrelevance
• inaptness
• immateriality
• irrelevancy
• inappositeness
• improperness
• incongruousness
• meaninglessness
• inexpedience
• pointlessness
• inharmoniousness
• unbecomingness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of propriety

Kay also challenged the propriety of statements made by the prosecutor during her closing arguments. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

Larkin found that Muslim viewers in Kano reinterpreted Bollywood films through an Islamic moral lens, reading their narratives as reinforcing local values of propriety and ethical conduct. — Gareth Barkin, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026

Her wealthy new family refuses to extend any of their access or connections to Annie; to them, friendship is nowhere near as important as propriety. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026

And a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right? — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2026