1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
This version of Evangelina—the one that’s the picture of propriety —is the one that has endured until now.
—
Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025
Ibsen was exploding bourgeois hypocrisy by cramming his plot with taboos, then asserting that the greatest sin was the propriety that kept people from speaking frankly and living freely.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025
Marshall kept pressing the point beyond the bounds of propriety.
—Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Andrews' nuanced design of P.L. Travers' creation is an astute, mellifluous, and delightfully intimidating creature of talent and propriety — and as the world would realize, so, too, was Andrews.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Laura Gómez, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2025
Ibsen was exploding bourgeois hypocrisy by cramming his plot with taboos, then asserting that the greatest sin was the propriety that kept people from speaking frankly and living freely.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025
Marshall kept pressing the point beyond the bounds of propriety.
—Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
Andrews' nuanced design of P.L. Travers' creation is an astute, mellifluous, and delightfully intimidating creature of talent and propriety — and as the world would realize, so, too, was Andrews.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety
Noun
-
Follow these mowing etiquette tips to avoid being the one that your neighbors are complaining about on Reddit.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2025
-
Say Yes to the Dress, studying etiquette columns about bridal party issues and combing through social media posts of canines in floral crowns, choreographed bridal party entrances and trendy donut walls.—
Lian Dolan,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories (subset of larceny) – The unlawful taking of any part or accessory affixed to the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle in a manner which would make the item an attachment of the vehicle or necessary for its operation.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
27 May 2025
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Employees must be adept at evaluating AI outputs, identifying biases and communicating areas for improvement in a clear and actionable manner.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
The Gurnee Village Board on Monday adopted guidelines and decorum standards for anyone speaking at public meetings.—
Erin Yarnall,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
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In the days following the joint address, Republicans have slammed Democrats for being disrespectful and breaking decorum — while claiming the party refused to acknowledge Trump’s accomplishments since returning to office.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Moreover, this objection undermines the validity of your career.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
22 May 2025
-
Resilient Test Intelligence: Test assets maintain validity through UI modernization cycles, preserving institutional knowledge across product iterations.—
Asad Khan,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Now, more than ever in our history, there will be a burning need for people who fight for truth and decency.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
-
Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book, as long as that document does not offend our own ideas of decency.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
21 May 2025
Noun
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To catch up on his late rent, Winston talks himself into a job at We Deliver, a transportation company with a colorful clientele whose requests can’t help but loosen one’s morality.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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With childhood increasingly recognized as a distinct stage of life and education in the later nineteenth century, school texts and children’s books were one way to suggest to children a certain sort of morality and social grounding.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
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That guidance similarly discourages blanket exclusions and encourages individualized assessments that consider the nature of the offense, its recency, and its relevance to the job.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Left wing-progressives, once skeptical of the status quo, have become stolid guardians of institutions, while right-wing conservatives – once champions of prudence – are tearing down fences.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence, and warmth, Pope Leo XIV's leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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