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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 However, if the Red Sox do find a suitor for him, getting a player like Suzuki would be a decent return. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 Downcast and out-of-sorts, but, if one squints, having a decent enough time. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025 There’s a decent chance Alabama guard Tyler Booker will be available at No. 10 in the first round. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 Fleischmann, who had been at the card game but left at a decent hour, was furious. Christopher B. Daly, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • In the Jungfrau Ski Region skiers get the perfect mix of easy and challenging slopes, nice mountain hut restaurants and aprés ski on the downhill runs and in Grindelwald Terminal.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Hard partying leads to an acceleration of addiction: Rita, in her thirties, after giving birth to four children; Tyson, in his late twenties, after crashing out of college and working practically every job in the nicer parts of the East Bay.
    Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Human rights lawyer Darcy was killed by a landmine in Sudan while negotiating the release of aid workers — an honorable way to go.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Lester received an honorable discharge on Dec. 4, 1972.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Without proper execution, even the best strategies can fail.
    Dr. Sharon H. Porter, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
  • President Donald Trump, in his interview with Fox News, sees states like Iowa, Indiana and New Hampshire, among others, taking the proper approaches in education.
    Kristina Watrobski, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Further research on the toxicity of A. muricata and clinical trials testing the pure compounds are needed to fully elucidate its pharmacological activities and ensure the safety of A. muricata as a potential drug for various diseases.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
  • There will be an all-electric Ferrari by then, and Ferrari’s strategy of hedging its bets by continuing with hybrid and pure internal-combustion drivetrains alongside its new electric model might look prescient.
    Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Known as user fees, the money provides adequate staffing for reviews of myriad products.
    Christina Jewett, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Actions must be prioritized and practiced in advance to ensure adequate response during such chaos.
    Ilia Sotnikov, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Senior officials responsible for keeping agencies honest and accountable were among those purged.
    Calvin Woodward, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Even from an honest left-wing perspective, Haaland’s rise has little to ...
    Paul J. Gessing, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As audiences continue to grow, the demand for authentic and ethical content has never been more important.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Clear definition of values and purpose: Values are the ethical principles that define the organization's identity and guide its decisions, behavior and corporate culture.
    Susana Sierra, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Dressed in a colorful smoking jacket, an accentuating cravat and pencil-thin mustache, his get-up is almost as refined as his compliments, which are so detailed and nimbly assembled that even the politest group of word-spitters would be thoroughly impressed.
    Stefano Montali, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Donald’s giving voice to what polite society sort of sat on for a while, things that are felt but that no one is articulating.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

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