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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 But your sons and daughters have a decent shot to see the day. Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025 There’s a decent number of good Charlie moments here, including the Timothée Chalamet beat, but my favorite might be his wordlessly handing Sylvia her glass of wine from the table after an especially uncomfortable interaction. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025 The multi-core Cinebench score was lower than expected, with all rivals pulling ahead, and its HandBrake video transcoding time was slower than most, though still decent. Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2025 Jimenez is a decent prospect to send to a division foe in exchange for a rental pitcher and a glorified project in Dobnak. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • It's been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map.
    EW.com, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • There is a blended family about to be formed, as well as a blending of cultures within that family that was nice to see.
    Katie Grant, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Law enforcement really is an honorable profession that serves the community at whole very well.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Just continue to guide your daughter toward honorable behavior.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Assuming that the administrative use of AI is done with proper security and rigor, most clients or patients won’t especially care that the therapist is using AI in that manner.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • For example, some foundations have not been regularly reconciling their accounts and have made some expenditures without proper prior approval or supporting documentation, such as receipts or invoices, according to the audit.
    Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Adeleye was outclassed from a pure boxing standpoint, but his heart was on display.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The shot was clean with a bold recovery, just like a pure Mickelson moment.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And finally, even if conditions are favorable for sweat evaporation, if the body cannot produce adequate sweat, there is no heat loss.
    Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Chlorosis is a sign a rose may not be getting adequate nutrients.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Creatively, the book features specific talking points to spark transparent and honest conversations.
    Essence, Essence, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The project intends to empower Californians to engage in honest discussions, according to its mission statement.
    Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Improving transparency starts with a commitment to open communication, ethical leadership, and meaningful public engagement.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
  • One of the employees expressed a desire for an ethical framework much like the one Cakarel laid out on Thursday, as well as the company taking a stand against Maguire’s comments.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Most of the time, generative AI has been tuned to be relatively polite and offers mild praise, though a user can easily up the ante by simply telling the AI to pour it on.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • There also were multiple paintings scattered throughout the fictional White House that poke fun at Trump’s military bravado as well as an image that seems to involve Trump and a sheep engaged in an activity not meant for polite company, not to mention that deepfake.
    Peter White, Deadline, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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