decency
noun
de·cen·cy
| \ ˈdē-sᵊn-sē
\
\
plural decencies
Definition of decency
b
: conformity to standards of taste, propriety, or quality
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for decency
Synonyms
Antonyms
impropriety, indecency, indecorum
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
However, the president’s most recent online criticisms of four congresswomen crossed a clear line of decency that cannot go unremarked. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, "Editorial: Colorado Congressmen and women must decry Trump’s racist tweets," 18 July 2019 Anyone that normalizes gun violence, white supremacy, putting kids into cages, his general lack of decency and respect for anyone else. — Los Angeles Times, "Amid Stephen Ross uproar, Majordomo donated its profits on Friday to charity," 12 Aug. 2019 Burke saw them as the embodiment of collective wisdom and the bulwarks of civilisation, standing between decency and anarchy. — The Economist, "Long live the Tory revolution!," 1 Aug. 2019 Can’t even one of the 20 rally the decency within us? — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc's Morning Line: The Harrelson curse? Come on now, Cincinnati Bengals fans. Really?," 24 July 2019 San Franciscans who have visited other cities recently also attributed differences to higher expectations for decency and civility elsewhere. — Heather Knight, SFChronicle.com, "Welcome home: Trips abroad put San Francisco’s chaotic streets in perspective," 13 July 2019 John lines of all these battles for decency and freedom. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "Read the Full Transcript of Henry Kissinger's Eulogy for John McCain," 1 Sep. 2018 Instead, decolonization requires us to understand that human beings are inherently worthy of personhood, dignity, decency and respect. — Brooke Obie, The Root, "The Opposite of ‘Monkey’ Isn’t ‘Royalty’; It’s ‘Human’," 10 Jan. 2018 But in between, they're treated as fellow human beings who are fleeing difficult circumstances and they're treated with respect and decency. — NBC News, "Meet the Press - July 7, 2019," 7 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for decency
decency
noun
English Language Learners Definition of decency
: polite, moral, and honest behavior and attitudes that show respect for other people
formal
: the behaviors that people in a society consider to be proper or acceptable
See the full definition for decency in the English Language Learners Dictionary
decency
noun
de·cen·cy
| \ ˈdē-sᵊn-sē
\
\
plural decencies
Kids Definition of decency
: a way or habit of behaving with good manners or good morals
Show some decency and apologize.
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