DECENT Synonyms: 354 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 next

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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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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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

Examples 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 These platform runs, plus more than decent but hardly breakout grosses for Marvel and other franchise titles (and less so for animated films at about 25 percent of industry revenue last year), were the core to Arclight Hollywood’s success. —

Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025 Lauren Goode: Not bad, actually decent, but also mass-produced and maybe with a little bit too much salad dressing to give the quinoa flavor. —

Lauren Goode, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2025 So growing corn, which has a high market value in Kansas, can mean a farmer still gets a decent return in a bad season. —

Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025 The best free-agent pitcher left on the market is Jack Flaherty and Cease would be a decent upgrade over Flaherty. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for decent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent

Adjective

The engagement is certainly a nice break from the recent drama in Pats land - after New England’s season finale, the team fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, a move that has been heavily criticized by ex-Patriots.

— Ryan Morik, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025
The Nintendo Switch Lite was a great way to play Switch games on a smaller device, and the Nintendo Switch OLED added a beautiful display and a handful of other nice upgrades.

— Jay Peters, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025