decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdē-sᵊn-sē 
plural decencies
1
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
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
Toby Jones stars as Alan Bates, a British sub-postmaster who radiates decency and integrity.
—
Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
There’s as much conviction to Hathaway’s proud black-widow blend of decorum and hostility — evoking, in her best moments, Joan Crawford at her most tragically acidic — as there is to Chastain’s unraveling all-American decency.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Whether such logic, and such a tranquil plea for moral decency, will lay the rumors to rest, and shame the rancorous, is open to question.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024
Leguizamo tempers her high-key energy with a mellower decency and just a hint of sorrow.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
Matching his essential decency is Audrey, as played by Chani Wereley.
—Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
In a March 2021 call with investors, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek implied that Carano did not share the company’s values of respect, decency, integrity and inclusion.
—Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024
Apparently a $6-million annual salary isn’t enough to buy simple decency.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024
As a matter of basic decency, this is not something that allies do to one another, especially not ...
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 15 Mar. 2024
Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
There’s as much conviction to Hathaway’s proud black-widow blend of decorum and hostility — evoking, in her best moments, Joan Crawford at her most tragically acidic — as there is to Chastain’s unraveling all-American decency.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
Whether such logic, and such a tranquil plea for moral decency, will lay the rumors to rest, and shame the rancorous, is open to question.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024
Leguizamo tempers her high-key energy with a mellower decency and just a hint of sorrow.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
Matching his essential decency is Audrey, as played by Chani Wereley.
—Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
In a March 2021 call with investors, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek implied that Carano did not share the company’s values of respect, decency, integrity and inclusion.
—Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024
Apparently a $6-million annual salary isn’t enough to buy simple decency.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024
As a matter of basic decency, this is not something that allies do to one another, especially not ...
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 15 Mar. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdēs-ᵊn-sē
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share