propriety

noun

Definition of proprietynext
1
as in decorum
socially acceptable behavior some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s

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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

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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

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Thesaurus Entries Near propriety

proprietorships

propriety

props

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Cite this Entry

“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

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More from Merriam-Webster on propriety

Nglish: Translation of propriety for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of propriety for Arabic Speakers

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