1
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
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
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
Questions of spectacle and propriety circled the Mütter even then, but Worden’s ample charisma, her confidence in the validity of her own fascination, seemed largely able to keep them at bay.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
But the courts have not yet had an opportunity to weigh in on the question raised by Bonta about the propriety of congress invoking the CRA to revoke such a waiver.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed.
—Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2024
Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
But the courts have not yet had an opportunity to weigh in on the question raised by Bonta about the propriety of congress invoking the CRA to revoke such a waiver.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed.
—Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2024
Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety
Noun
-
The bride-to-be's post and the subsequent responses have opened up a larger conversation about family dynamics, wedding etiquette and emotional manipulation.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Both instances call into question proper airplane etiquette, a hot topic online nowadays, as people debate the best ways to share the air while respecting personal space and boundaries.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The additional talent can be acquired in any manner, so the Pacers have a new tool to sign someone, make a trade, or claim someone off of waivers.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
What had happened, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, was that a man named Jalen Welch, 25, walked into the argument holding a pistol in a threatening manner and approached the shooter, described as a man from Oak Park.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Imagine a version of CNN’s Presidential Townhall that’s somehow more demented and with less decorum.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
-
The game of golf is to be played at a high level of integrity and decorum at all times.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
There doesn’t appear to be much of a dispute about the validity of the tests finding.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Police the validity of Li’s license is currently under investigation by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As each couple works to uncover the truth and save their own daughter, long buried tensions and uncomfortable truths erupt, forcing them to abandon any pretence of decency and to question all of their certainties as spouses, parents and friends.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Hutson, like so many Republicans, wants to maintain his own veneer of decency while still managing to support what Trump is doing.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Its creation reflected not just morality, but also the practical fears and self-interests of nations.—
Stephen Herzog,
The Conversation,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Its specter can, overnight, reframe a conflict that already has cost 60,000 lives, and fueled tense global debates on morality, antisemitism, the laws of war.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Affiliate marketing and publisher commerce content could lose relevance if agents bypass their links entirely.—
Jason Goldberg,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
But the company is fighting back by working to rebuild cultural relevance, starting with football and expanding into team sports.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This is emblematic of transit leaders’ lack of fiscal prudence.—
Micky Horstman,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
-
While investor excitement may be high, prudence is advisable.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share