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

Within these confines the main characters register as aliens; Wendy and Jack aren’t just flustered but people who seem to have never been inculcated with a rudimentary sense of social propriety. — Vadim Rizov, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

But as this debate over propriety unfolds, a dedicated swath of the Democratic base is delighted. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026

All about that plane When Qatar gave the Boeing 747, fit for an Emirate prince, to Trump last year, some observers voiced concerns, both on grounds of security and propriety. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026

Some are in-house, propriety applications developed by larger companies. — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026