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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 That Reno is in the top three underscores Climate Central's point that rainfall intensity is rising in places that are generally dry, not just those that get at least a decent amount of annual rainfall. Kristal Dixon, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025 The lounge had a small selection of magazines to pass the time, and the free Wi-Fi was decent enough to download a high-definition movie in about three minutes. Scott Campbell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025 The vast majority of Americans prefer decent, walkable communities. Nikos Mohammadi, Hartford Courant, 6 Apr. 2025 Faithful readers asked me to suggest replacements that wouldn't take 50 years to reach a decent size or cause problems like invasive roots or messy litter. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • In this chicken noodle casserole, the pasta is perfectly cooked and creamy, with bits of chicken adding a nice bite and different texture.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The physical edition even includes a full-color manual like the good old days, which is a nice touch.
    David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, Greg/Gary is an honorable guy who would never bankrupt Belinda to teach her a lesson about greed and blackmail.
    Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Some Union soldiers attended the event, and two Union officers delivered orations, each focusing on the topic of reconciliation between the honorable foes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • All my Social Security user logins are again able to connect and view the proper benefit information.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The government insisted the nonprofits didn't have standing to bring this case on behalf of the employees because the employees themselves needed go through the proper, yet limited, channels to challenge their firings, with each employee fighting his or her own battle.
    Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Far too many left to get it on three without pure luck.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Production values are adequate, apart from the occasional iffy digital effect.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Concerns have been raised about DOGE operatives, many with ties to Musk's companies, gaining access to sensitive government data without adequate oversight or experience.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The album is raw, honest, and deeply personal—a sonic letter to women and their stories, both told and untold.
    Nour Ezzedine, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This accountability between sustainability initiatives and resilience among uncertainty is sparking more honest conversations, leading to more realistic goal setting and, ultimately, more meaningful progress.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Data practices should also ensure compliance with privacy laws such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), while promoting ethical handling of sensitive information.
    Ben Blanquera, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • So, if insects can feel pain, as most Americans believe, then there is an ethical reason to protect their welfare.
    Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • His boss and co-worker remember him as quiet, polite and professional.
    James Bandler, ProPublica, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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