decency

noun

de·​cen·​cy ˈdē-sᵊn-sē How to pronounce decency (audio)
plural decencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being decent : propriety
b
: conformity to standards of taste, propriety, or quality
2
: standard of propriety
usually used in plural
3
decencies plural : conditions or services considered essential for a proper standard of living
4
: literary decorum
5
archaic
a

Examples of decency in a Sentence

Decency, not fear of punishment, caused them to do the right thing. Sending aid to the victims was simply a matter of common decency. If you're going to be late, please have the decency to call and let me know. Have you no sense of decency? He had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies.
Recent Examples on the Web Her commitment to journalism and to her community has been so fierce and always driven by integrity and decency. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 Still, some lucky painters have the decency to make excellent paintings. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 There are deep veins of decency and love and compassion. Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Feb. 2024 Get to the bottom of why this industry has failed to comply with basic state and federal employment laws and basic human decency. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2024 None of these thoughts are expressed in words, but thanks to Ben’s impeccable performance, Meena brings even these complex ideas to life through her silent despondency and her yearning for human decency. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 There’s a widespread disregard for decency and decorum among our modern political class, which appears incapable of providing a model of virtuous behavior for the broader public to emulate. Guy Denton, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 The story of From Hilde, With Love is thus a more ordinary, and more moving and powerful tale of human decency. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 May God bless us with four more years of Joe Biden’s leadership, his decency and his decorum. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 5a

Time Traveler
The first known use of decency was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near decency

Cite this Entry

“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decency

noun
de·​cen·​cy ˈdēs-ᵊn-sē How to pronounce decency (audio)
plural decencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being decent : propriety
b
: agreement with standards of taste, quality, or proper behavior
decency, not fear of punishment, made them behave
2
: a standard of proper behavior
usually used in plural
had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies

More from Merriam-Webster on decency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!