decorous

adjective

ˈde-kər-əs How to pronounce decorous (audio)
Definition of decorousnext
1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste we were asked to be on our most decorous behavior at the formal event

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details the oppressively decorous standards of a royal court

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 decorous Its decorous leaves are not even an inch long. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026 Pentagon leaders have almost always publicly couched the military’s use of violence in decorous euphemisms designed to show the solemnity of lethality. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026 Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2026 The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled. — David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
  1. polite
  2. formal
  3. proper
  4. ceremonious
  5. respectable
  6. nice
  7. satisfactory
  8. correct
Adjective
  • 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
  • Fejzo is in her late fifties, petite and brunette, with birdlike features and a polite intensity.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • The framework the surgeons built around it required formal disclosure of the atlas's origin to readers, to surgical teams, and to patients, along with bioethicist review and a memorial to the people depicted.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s government holds annual formal ceremonies in Tehran to honor their memory.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Watson said Martinez was known for riding responsibly and always wearing proper safety gear.
    — Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, no proper French meal would be complete without wine.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.
    — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of ceremonious
Adjective
  • Reese, by the way, finished Monday's loss to the Aces with respectable numbers.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Welbeck led the way in masking that blow, as Brighton ended up with a respectable total of 52 league goals last season — 10th-best in the division.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of respectable
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
  • By contrast, state inspection records from 2025 and the first weeks of 2026, just days after Calvo took office in January, show the city’s pool facilities were consistently rated satisfactory.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
  • For someone who is dogmatic, or has a strong commitment to evangelism, this may not be satisfactory.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfactory
Adjective
  • Many people struggled to determine how much liquid to add to dissolve the powder and the correct dose to draw up once it was dissolved.
    — C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And the only person who is the correct heir to the throne is Johnny Knoxville.
    — Julian Le Ballister, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of correct

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decorative
decorous
decorously
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Cite this Entry

“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of decorous for Spanish Speakers

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