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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Accompany your dining with a decent wine selection, or ask a bartender to show off a cocktail creation. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 Skubal left trailing 3-2 in the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner's decent, if unspectacular, first start in the home whites. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 There’s a decent selection of Ford Mustang Mach-Es in this price range, too, with almost 700 to choose from around the country. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026 The first was broken up by Chamarri Conner, but the second went for a decent gain after Tyquan Thornton cleared out the defense. — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent

Adjective

An Oscar winning, Brit Award record setting couple has a nice ring to it.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
The hotel has one restaurant (a Japanese Mediterranean dining room from local celebrity chef Olivier da Costa) and a nice gym.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

Cornerback Juice Clarke, who started eight games last season and also was an honorable-mention selection, and safety Mac Resetich are back for their senior seasons.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Ingrid is an honorable and moral friend who facilitates her death while staying in a neighboring room.

— Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

The interactions between Bourdain and Ciro are pure movie magic and that’s due partly to the performances — both actors have to be in the Oscar race — as well as to the screenplay by Johnson, Todd Bartels, Lou Howe and Matthew Miller.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Unauthorized sequels reveal the extremes of why people make movies in the first place, from purely cynical money grabs to pure — even naive — devotion to characters and their world.

— Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of pure

Adjective

New regulations required flameproof tents, safety training, and adequate available fire extinguishers.

— Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Since students won’t come to campus in adequate numbers, sell the physical campus, dorms and recreational facilities.

— Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of adequate

Adjective

For the mostly Hispanic agriculture and food processing workers, the data center boom hasn’t been all good.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Villa’s recent warm-up defeat to Bayern Munich, though a 2-1 loss, will have offered a useful gauge of what facing elite opposition demands and should stand them in good stead for the level of intensity this game in Salzburg will require.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of good

Adjective

To be honest, that's probably the best-case scenario for the casual fans that this sort of fight draws.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Its quincunx to Saturn in your 2nd House of Resources may ask you to be honest about time, money, energy, or self-worth.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of honest

Adjective

But making eye contact during conversation has functions that go beyond being polite.

— Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Get to Know the Employees A polite conversation can go a long way, especially in a city like mine, where people usually expect a conversation with a stranger to go poorly.

— Aliyah Rodriguez, The Spruce, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of polite

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decency

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decently

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“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of decent

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