1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manner
proprieties plural
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting
an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in appropriateness
the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting
I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propriety
Some critics deemed the set an act of heresy, an affront to folk music propriety.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 16 Jan. 2025
Expect trendy shoes from Good American like a denim pointed-toe slingback or even a ballet flat in crocodile, largely treated with their propriety On Cloud sole designed for comfort.
—Mikelle Street, Them, 26 Nov. 2024
From professional oversight to social propriety, the pedometer served as a subtle but powerful mediator, quantifying life in ways that both reflected and challenged evolving norms of individual accountability and public transparency.
—Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
With the Supreme Court having taken the flag’s mistreatment out of the legal realm more than three decades ago, questions of flag-display propriety shift instead to the world of norms, Magarian said.
—Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for propriety 
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 16 Jan. 2025
Expect trendy shoes from Good American like a denim pointed-toe slingback or even a ballet flat in crocodile, largely treated with their propriety On Cloud sole designed for comfort.
—Mikelle Street, Them, 26 Nov. 2024
From professional oversight to social propriety, the pedometer served as a subtle but powerful mediator, quantifying life in ways that both reflected and challenged evolving norms of individual accountability and public transparency.
—Jacqueline D. Wernimont, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
With the Supreme Court having taken the flag’s mistreatment out of the legal realm more than three decades ago, questions of flag-display propriety shift instead to the world of norms, Magarian said.
—Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for propriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety
Noun
-
Trump’s election has only solidified the new legal framework for what is permissible when considering race and gender in hiring, promotion, and workplace etiquette.—
Casey Harper | The Center Square,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Plane etiquette seems so simple — be spatially aware, don’t bother other passengers and follow the instructions of the air crew.—
Bella Stoddart,Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
She was formally charged with Donohue's murder Thursday after an autopsy found his cause and manner of death to be a homicide by stabbing.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
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The Charleston native previously ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2004, but was later fined $19,500 by the Federal Election Commission for failing to file reports detailing his personal campaign spending in a timely manner, according to local news outlet WIS News 10.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The dress code update underscores the evolving landscape of airline policies focused on self-expression and decorum.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Supporters lauded Barron's composure and decorum, and speculated about his potential future in politics.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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However, Ador has filed two injunctions in South Korean courts, one in December to confirm the validity of the group’s contracts and another in January to stop the group from independently signing advertisement contracts, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Dominick’s Cicero Voters Alliance, however, questioned the validity of Rodriguez’s account in a statement.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In 1989, depicting an orgasm in public was viewed as tripping the lines of decency.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Basil reveals himself not through his biography but through his concern for others and his basic decency.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Tracing Josiah’s trajectory from lumberjack to shipyard riveter to ambitious serviceman, Wang offers a protagonist of unflappable morality and decency.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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The mob that trails West Elm Caleb knows neither morality nor mercy.—
Kelsey McKinney,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Start preparing your taxes with these options Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.—
Brian Sloan,Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2025
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Senators and representatives must act, if not for their constituents, then for their own relevance and power.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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India’s Nifty 50 index climbed around 0.8% ahead of the country’s Union Budget on Saturday, in which the government has to balance fiscal prudence with economic stimulus.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
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That prudence paid off earlier this week when China’s DeepSeek unveiled its free AI open-source technology.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near propriety
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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