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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 Chelsea is sort of a lost soul, decent person – seemingly, so far, right? Ben Tinker, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 An active free agency period compared to years past for the organization has put them in a decent spot moving forward. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2025 Tim Key: Tom and I were living together at the time, writing sketches and throwing around tons of ideas, trying to come up with anything decent. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025 Entry-level perks For those who think that decent perks only come with top tier cards, fear not. Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Ruthe adds, would be a nice target.
    George Ramsay and Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The idea of painting a bird with such traditional meaning on a building set to house families who may be going through turbulent times is a nice message, signaling that calm waters are just ahead.
    Will McGough, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That his record is treated as honorable, rather than hushed up and relegated to the trash bin of history, is a sour commentary on heroism and distinction in modern America.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The scribes of ancient Egypt were among the world’s first bureaucrats, and while scribal work was considered prestigious and honorable, a career as a scribe was also a way of evading the hardships of other forms of labor.
    Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, a movie can’t be a hit at the international box office without a proper theatrical release internationally.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Why does a team that desires to run the ball well not invest in a proper fullback?
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • As a pure runner, though, Giddens is impressive, showing off great speed and vision.
    Steve Bradshaw, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The heartbreak is immense, but as Ellie so perfectly pointed out, the Winnie-Bubba reunion had to be pure magic.
    Karen Fratti, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • At this range, a 1 m object maps into 3-4 camera pixels, adequate for recognition and range estimation.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As our predecessors became terrestrial and moved to dry, hot environments, salt became scarcer, and the craving for sodium likely developed as a survival mechanism to ensure adequate intake.
    Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The current lawsuits still need to play out in the courts, but the cases have brought attention to the need for TV brands to be honest about the capabilities of their QD TVs.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Be honest about strategic intent: If the acquisition will eventually be fully integrated, communicate this from the beginning rather than creating false expectations of independence.
    Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes reporters follow company ethical guidelines that ensure the highest quality.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • This is said to be the more ethical path, because A.I. will be crucial to any potential human survival.
    Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • His boss and co-worker remember him as quiet, polite and professional.
    James Bandler, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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