PROPRIETY Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

propriety

noun

prə-ˈprī-ə-tē

Definition of propriety

as in etiquette

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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 propriety All that moonlight over dewy grass and lamplight on Parisian streets create texture for the flawed adults who walk through these scenes, for their misguided sense of propriety. — Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 Labels like Prada, Tom Ford, and Saint Laurent, meanwhile, have pushed the very limits of propriety by showing itsy-bitsy little shorts on their runways, sometimes little more than a wisp of fabric. — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 22 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for propriety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety

Noun

Not just a student problem Lapses in email etiquette are not limited to exchanges between faculty and students.

— Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
Industry leaders advocate for broad consumer choice, emphasizing public etiquette and regulated consumption sites.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of etiquette

Noun

Previously, third-tier sides could spend 60 per cent of relevant turnover, alongside varying proportions of equity injected by owners, with the latter included in SCMP calculations in a staggered manner.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The total airfare would still have to be listed in some manner under the new rules.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of manner

Noun

The article raises ethical questions about AI's role in detecting abuse or self-harm, age appropriateness, and its long-term impact on family dynamics, potentially becoming a generational mental health advisor.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Decisions should be based on educational value, age appropriateness, and professional review while ensuring parents, educators, and community members have a voice in the process.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2026

Definition of appropriateness

Noun

O’Hare booted members of the public from the room for the meeting for disrupting decorum, instead inviting speakers to address the commissioners one-by-one.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026
On the other hand, permanent residents in Nantucket framed the issue as one of class — meaning both privilege and decorum.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of decorum

Noun

As the judge noted in her ruling, the ongoing controversy has as much to do with when and how the diagnostic gospels were compiled as the scientific validity of the ailment.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
As part of his plea, Kohberger waived the right to appeal, but that does not preclude him from filing a new case challenging the validity of his plea agreement.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Definition of validity

Noun

And although Americans are attending church less frequently, there’s still a high degree of concern over morality and decency in the country – two qualities many people associate with organized religion.

— Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 27 July 2026
The second half of The Perfect Moment is really centered on them, these four performance artists who sued the government over decency rules in funding and took it to the Supreme Court.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of decency

Noun

Still, the reason Belmont endures is its plain language and broad applicability.

— Stephanie Haridopolos, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026
Set that against Microsoft's research mapping AI applicability across occupations, which scores knowledge and information work highest and physical labor lowest, and an unnerving pattern surfaces.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of applicability

Noun

On the other side, morality is supposed to protect people’s personal autonomy and freedom, even when others in their community dislike or disagree with their choices.

— Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Fischer studies cultural anthropology, specializing in matters of economics and moralities.

— Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of morality

Browse Nearby Words

proprietorships

propriety

props

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Style

“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of propriety

noun

Example Sentences

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