decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdē-sᵊn-sē 
plural decencies
1
2
: standard of propriety
—usually used in plural
3
decencies plural
: conditions or services considered essential for a proper standard of living
4
: literary decorum
5
Examples of decency in a Sentence
Decency, not fear of punishment, caused them to do the right thing.
Sending aid to the victims was simply a matter of common decency.
If you're going to be late, please have the decency to call and let me know.
Have you no sense of decency?
He had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, there’s a decency that systems can adhere to make people aware of their options.
—
Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 May 2025
The single-camera comedy offers a collection of disturbing stories that push the boundaries of decency in ways only Tom Segura could imagine.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Apr. 2025
After Kaepernick opted for free agency following the 2016 season, nobody in the league was interested in his resume of decency or better.
—Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
His public defense team has filed a slew of motions to prevent the possibility, which included arguments that capital punishment is unconstitutional, breaks with evolving standards of decency, violates international law and is arbitrarily applied.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
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Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 May 2025
The single-camera comedy offers a collection of disturbing stories that push the boundaries of decency in ways only Tom Segura could imagine.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Apr. 2025
After Kaepernick opted for free agency following the 2016 season, nobody in the league was interested in his resume of decency or better.
—Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
His public defense team has filed a slew of motions to prevent the possibility, which included arguments that capital punishment is unconstitutional, breaks with evolving standards of decency, violates international law and is arbitrarily applied.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdēs-ᵊn-sē
plural decencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being decent : propriety
b
: agreement with standards of taste, quality, or proper behavior
decency, not fear of punishment, made them behave
2
: a standard of proper behavior
—usually used in plural
had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies
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