Definition of decentnext
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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 ZScaler, a cloud-native provider of network security, reported decent numbers for its fiscal 2026 third-quarter on Tuesday night. Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 May 2026 These elites have generally had no decent respect for public sentiment. Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Magnifica Humanitas stresses the importance of decent jobs to a healthy society, and workers’ demands can help identify what the future of work should look like. Nathan Schneider, The Conversation, 26 May 2026 These nondescript rectangles have been a fixture of offices for decades, hitting the sweet spot with decent components at a good price. K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • And just like that, the Canadiens’ issues in this series were summed up in one play, with a nice, pretty bow on it.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The Elantra’s entry-level SE trim is equipped with the basics plus a few nice extras such as wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Congratulations to the honorable so-and-so.
    Rafael Perez, Daily News, 25 May 2026
  • Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties each had one beach with honorable status — Bluff Cove in Palos Verdes was the LA-area beach with consistently good-quality water.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • With proper storage, liquor and liqueur can generally last indefinitely.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
  • But most enterprises scaling the tech today are doing so absent proper guardrails.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • There are other ETFs branded under the space investing theme that have been in the market for years already, building portfolios of stocks that include pure-play, high-risk space exploration companies, satellite companies, and broader aerospace and defense sector names.
    Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 30 May 2026
  • The introduction of this tournament helped transform football from a pure enjoyment into a competitive sport, first played by amateurs and later by professionals.
    Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • During that time, certain areas of the garage may be closed temporarily, but officials say adequate parking will remain available throughout the duration of the project.
    Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
  • When machines surpass human capability, humanity’s only adequate response is a collective one.
    Shlomit Wagman, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • But on the other hand the club also needed power, and even in a best case scenario Durbin never projected as someone who’d move the needle much in that area.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Then obviously, the Colorado Eagles and the Colorado Avalanche — just two really good teams.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • And to be honest, my biggest fear is AI.
    Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • According to an Axios-Ipsos poll released in 2025, more than 70% of Americans believe that most politicians aren’t honest about their health.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • This week, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, together with Representative Ro Khanna, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that reads less like a polite congressional inquiry and more like a prosecutorial brief.
    Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • Off the pitch, Kvaratskhelia was generous, obsessed over his self-improvement, and unfailingly polite.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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