1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propriety
Ethel moves Carolyn’s bags to another room in keeping with propriety; this is a Catholic family, mind you.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
But the cult of quiet-luxury propriety that has sprung up around the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (also known as CBK) protects the fit of her cords and the length of her sweaters like sacred laws.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
And a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right?
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
And a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right?
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
But the cult of quiet-luxury propriety that has sprung up around the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (also known as CBK) protects the fit of her cords and the length of her sweaters like sacred laws.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
And a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right?
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
And a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right?
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety
Noun
-
Not according to etiquette experts.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Travel experts share key etiquette tips — from greetings to restaurant behavior — to help visitors blend in while exploring Paris.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office will identify the victim and determine the official cause and manner of death.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Your niece’s lack of manners is hurtful and disappointing.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The update comes as rodeo outfits have drawn attention online, including viral social media videos debating the appropriateness of attire worn by some attendees.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Selecting the right songs for your family's commute involves considering the mood, energy, and appropriateness of the lyrics based on your child's age.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Once Snelling took to the auditorium stage, CCPSA President Remel Terry reminded the 100 or so people in attendance to maintain decorum.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Graves said redistricting in his home state, nor the breakdown in decorum and hyper-partisanship of Congress, factored into his decision to retire.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The family received numerous ransom notes since Nancy Guthrie was taken, and yet did not pay any ransom, which points to the police being unable to ascertain the validity of the notes or a lack of proof of life attached to them.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Apr. 2026
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Officers will also look at the safety of the vehicle, use of seatbelts and the validity of the operator’s license.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their actions are a gut punch to American values and human decency.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps because of Chicago’s many diverse neighborhoods, or its blue-collar history, or its frigid winters, the city epitomizes the values of hard work, kindness toward others, humility, and basic common-sense and decency.—
Daniel Holz,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Chiles’ attorney disputed the applicability of studies to her form of counseling.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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And while mice are not humans, the biology the team has identified is highly conserved across animals, Naik explains, and this suggests the finding may have some applicability to humans.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of those humanists says Holland’s belief that Western morality is based on Christianity is not only wrong but also dangerous.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
De La Rosa argues that removing morality and judgment from money decisions allows people to make clearer, healthier choices.—
Joshua Sidorowicz,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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