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
His public defense team, led by Anne Taylor, has tried — to no avail — to remove capital punishment as a sentencing option, arguing that the death penalty is unconstitutional, breaks with evolving standards of decency and is arbitrarily applied.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Mar. 2025
How it got expressed in Tony was not sharp elbows, but a boundless, Midwestern good nature, and decency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Dudes are fighting for everything on the line... Have the decency to look a man in his eyes and not walk away.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Ridley Scott gave Gladiator the kind of scope and muscularity appropriate for a swords-and-sandals epic, and Crowe’s rugged decency made for an inspiring underdog.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
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Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Mar. 2025
How it got expressed in Tony was not sharp elbows, but a boundless, Midwestern good nature, and decency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Dudes are fighting for everything on the line... Have the decency to look a man in his eyes and not walk away.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Ridley Scott gave Gladiator the kind of scope and muscularity appropriate for a swords-and-sandals epic, and Crowe’s rugged decency made for an inspiring underdog.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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
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