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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 Two tropical waves with decent chances of developing into something stronger are swirling in the Atlantic, while Hurricane Gabrielle slips to the east of Bermuda over the next few days as a Category 3 — the second major storm of the season. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025 This weekend, Leeds beat hosts Wolves fairly comfortably, Burnley got a decent home point against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland came from behind, with 10 men, to draw with visiting Villa. Nick Miller, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025 Ordinary people trying to be decent. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025 But again, Robbie’s a decent matchup for him. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • With a turtleneck and jeans For an ensemble that’s nice (and warm) enough to wear in practically any situation, just add an eye-catching topper to your usual cold-weather combo.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Which would make a nice change of pace from the collective teeth-gnashing in FoCo lately.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mason is an honorable man who has fallen on hard times and is desperately trying to keep from losing the family ranch.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Just a remarkable honorable man that was silenced by this assassin's bullet.
    Dan Gooding Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Without proper padding and protection, your device risks scratches, dents, or worse, internal damage.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Additional resources for homeless children and youth Phoenix Union launched a district resource center after Tercero learned some students weren’t attending class due to a lack of proper clothing.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • According to the post, detectives seized one pound of pure fentanyl, which police said is enough to kill around 225,000 people.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, monochrome looks in pure black or white dominated, showing the season’s full contrasts.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In Surihari, Bangladesh, the contribution of Casa Mariù will enable a PIME facility serving around 160 children to complete the renovation of its school and dormitory, while also providing 25 children with disabilities with adequate educational, social and health care assistance.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • There is no adequate mitigation for wildfires in current fire zones for new home development.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And one Group of 5 staffer was especially honest, politely declining to partake in the survey.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Daniel Jones has been accurate and efficient, and Jonathan Taylor continues to be a workhorse in the backfield, breaking through tackles and keeping defenses honest.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the lack of clear evidence and ethical concerns about bringing a case without clear probable cause, Halligan sought an indictment from the grand jury, sources said.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Expected on October 15 is an internal policy at MUBI, to be shared publicly, on guidelines to ethical investments.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The rather polite 47-year-old Englishman remained transfixed on the massive video board down the hill.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Even polite England is experiencing massive strikes and angry marches.
    Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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