Meaning & use
decency
Last updated
Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality, politeness, or good taste.
See it in a sentence
He had the decency to apologize after realizing how his comment had hurt her.
Basic decency requires that we treat strangers with respect.
A note on using this word
Often used in the phrase 'common decency' to describe a minimal standard of respectful behavior.
Words with a similar meaning
proprietycivility
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
indecencyrudeness
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