decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdē-sᵊn-sē 
plural decencies
1
2
: standard of propriety
—usually used in plural
3
decencies plural
: conditions or services considered essential for a proper standard of living
4
: literary decorum
5
Examples of decency in a Sentence
Decency, not fear of punishment, caused them to do the right thing.
Sending aid to the victims was simply a matter of common decency.
If you're going to be late, please have the decency to call and let me know.
Have you no sense of decency?
He had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies.
Recent Examples on the Web
By casting Statham as a reluctant avatar of righteousness in a country that continues to prey on its own, and trusting that his implacable sense of honor will resonate with an audience who feel like they’ve been taken advantage of for their decency.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
The moral scaffolding that keeps us from giving in to our primal desires gets ripped away and, naturally, very rudimentary notions of decency fall apart.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
President Trump has no common decency and is a chilling reminder of how Germany’s hateful behavior began and was allowed to grow.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2025
The spectacle that resulted was a striking exception (to history, to world stability, to decency).
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
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David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
The moral scaffolding that keeps us from giving in to our primal desires gets ripped away and, naturally, very rudimentary notions of decency fall apart.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
President Trump has no common decency and is a chilling reminder of how Germany’s hateful behavior began and was allowed to grow.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2025
The spectacle that resulted was a striking exception (to history, to world stability, to decency).
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decency
noun
de·cen·cy
ˈdēs-ᵊn-sē
plural decencies
1
a
: the quality or state of being decent : propriety
b
: agreement with standards of taste, quality, or proper behavior
decency, not fear of punishment, made them behave
2
: a standard of proper behavior
—usually used in plural
had been taught to observe the ordinary decencies
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