DECENT Synonyms: 353 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'decent' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of decent are chaste , modest , and pure . While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. // preferred more modest swimsuits // decent people didn't go to such movies

Q: When is 'chaste' a more appropriate choice than 'decent'?

The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. // they maintained chaste relations

Q: How do 'pure' and 'chaste' relate to one another, in the sense of 'decent'?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. // the pure of heart

decent

adjective

ˈdē-sᵊnt

Definition of decent

as in nice

conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue as decent and kind a couple as you could ever hope to meet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in honorable

following the accepted rules of moral conduct demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas

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as in proper

following the established traditions of refined society and good taste decent clothing for someone attending a funeral, if only as a friend of a friend

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as in pure

free from any trace of the coarse or indecent students were warned that their skits could be funny but still had to remain decent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adequate

of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards he did a decent job on the project, but there's still room for improvement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word decent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of decent are chaste, modest, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits

decent people didn't go to such movies

When is chaste a more appropriate choice than decent?

The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of decent?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

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 decent Expectations of a quality education and decent job prospects are common to many around the world. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2026 Some of my lawyer friends think Cornell has a decent chance of ultimately winning in court, should the Jane Doe case ever go to trial. — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Yurlady eventually acts as peacemaker, writing to the daughter that her father is a decent man, and didn’t hurt her. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 All crowdfunding campaigns carry an element of risk, but this is the company’s sixth crowdfunding campaign, and its first five raised more than $2 million between them, so there’s a decent track record to go on. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent

Adjective

Go to the Haveli restaurant by the pool for delicious flatbreads and salads, a nice change from the heavier fare at the main fort.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Tennessee has put together a very nice campaign with six wins and just one loss.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

Any function whose work can be pointed at a proper model of its underlying business, instead of at a general-purpose language model, is starting to compound the same way Anthropic’s engineering did a year ago.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Pentecostal parents Ruth and Marius were accused of domestic violence, with worldwide protests criticizing what dissenters called harsh and hasty steps taken by Norwegian social workers without proper evidence.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of proper

Adjective

County officials responsible for issuing building permits have been accused of failing to conduct adequate inspections to ensure developers comply with safety guidelines and construction standards.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Sorrells has been unwilling to seek adequate budget funding from the Commissioners Court, leaving the office understaffed, according to one of the sources.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of adequate

Adjective

My honest read on timing is that the five percent will be twenty percent by end of 2027, and fifty by end of 2029.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The original impetus for the film, to be honest, was to look at an incredible life story over a long German period.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

Music of the margins — which before neoperreo was punk rock and hip-hop — had been framed in opposition to polite society.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The emergency response agents were always polite and professional, and two-way communications came through loud and clear.

— John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of polite

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“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of decent

adjective

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