PROPRIETY Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

propriety

noun

prə-ˈprī-ə-tē

Definition of propriety

as in etiquette

socially acceptable behavior some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in manner

proprieties plural personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in appropriateness

the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses

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 propriety The second agreement precludes the Justice Department or any other federal agency from investigating the propriety of that funding. — Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026 All that moonlight over dewy grass and lamplight on Parisian streets create texture for the flawed adults who walk through these scenes, for their misguided sense of propriety. — Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 Labels like Prada, Tom Ford, and Saint Laurent, meanwhile, have pushed the very limits of propriety by showing itsy-bitsy little shorts on their runways, sometimes little more than a wisp of fabric. — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 22 May 2026 Kay also challenged the propriety of statements made by the prosecutor during her closing arguments. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for propriety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety

Noun

The confusion is that Italian etiquette is not the same as Italian-American etiquette, where the continuing use of the spoon is not uncommon.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Whitmore said tipping etiquette also depends on the type of service being provided.

— Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of etiquette

Noun

Many times issues exist with respect to medical necessity, treatment appropriateness and reimbursement defensibility.

— Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Decisions should be based on educational value, age appropriateness, and professional review while ensuring parents, educators, and community members have a voice in the process.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2026

Definition of appropriateness

Noun

The meta story of Life of M’s creation — how Cusk ignored decorum in favor of artistic absolutism — is perhaps the most intriguing element of this saga.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
Gregory drew her as mean, menacing, and thoroughly indifferent to male-centric standards of beauty and decorum.

— Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of decorum

Noun

The crux of the dispute surrounds the validity of a contract extension option for Mateta, one which Palace exercised in December 2024.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
As enterprise value continues to shift toward intangible assets, IP ownership, validity and enforceability directly inform valuation defensibility and post closing performance assumptions.

— Keegan Caldwell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of validity

Noun

However, a modicum of decency four years ago would’ve gone further.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
And the solution is simply to replace the corrupt, racist authoritarian with a governing party that respects the rule of law, equality, and basic decency.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of decency

Noun

Still, the reason Belmont endures is its plain language and broad applicability.

— Stephanie Haridopolos, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026
Set that against Microsoft's research mapping AI applicability across occupations, which scores knowledge and information work highest and physical labor lowest, and an unnerving pattern surfaces.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of applicability

Browse Nearby Words

proprietorships

propriety

props

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of propriety

noun

Example Sentences

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