1
as in nice
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue
as decent and kind a couple as you could ever hope to meet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honorable
following the accepted rules of moral conduct
demanded nothing less than decent behavior by the troops serving overseas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
decent clothing for someone attending a funeral, if only as a friend of a friend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
students were warned that their skits could be funny but still had to remain decent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
Examples 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
Jerry Jones, being a decent actor, was not on my bingo card.
—
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
The Declaration of Independence was off to the press, so Thomas Jefferson spent July 4, 1776, in search of a decent thermometer.
—Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Barron is a good skater with a decent shot and strong offensive instincts, but his game in his own end has suffered from moments of indecision and a lack of assertiveness in killing plays, leading to extended shifts in the defensive zone.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
But this would be a practical and necessary change — to allow a decent time period for transition while also preventing various abuses and inefficiencies.
—Guy Ciarrocchi, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decent 
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
The Declaration of Independence was off to the press, so Thomas Jefferson spent July 4, 1776, in search of a decent thermometer.
—Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Barron is a good skater with a decent shot and strong offensive instincts, but his game in his own end has suffered from moments of indecision and a lack of assertiveness in killing plays, leading to extended shifts in the defensive zone.
—Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
But this would be a practical and necessary change — to allow a decent time period for transition while also preventing various abuses and inefficiencies.
—Guy Ciarrocchi, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
-
The gold coloring on the leaves can be striking and offers a nice splash of color on the seemingly endless sea of green that comprises the rest of the low-maintenance houseplant category.Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Jan. 2025
-
There aren't endless options to choose from, which is nice because subscriptions like these can sometimes be a lot to manage.Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
And for those who were denied an honorable discharge, the Pentagon would commit to a streamlined upgrade review process.Matthew Mosk, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025
-
Brienne of Tarth The most honorable knight in Westeros doesn't have a bad bone in her body.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There is no region where only A and C overlap that doesn’t also include another region, and likewise for B and D. A proper Venn diagram depicts every combination of intersections.Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2025
-
Under proper care, and after plenty of rest, she’s been able to manage her symptoms well enough to return to work and a mostly normal life.Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Looking at total equivalent units shifted, which include streams and not just pure purchases, the Blackpink musician’s project moved 33,300 copies.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
-
Detailing the extraordinary journey of double bassist Orin O'Brien, who was the first full-time female member of the New York Philharmonic, this short film captures the glorious world of rehearsals, music classes, tiny apartments, and pure music geekery.Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The 11 Best Grow Lights to Help Your Plants Thrive, Based on Testing Soil and Water Euonymus are tolerant of any soil type as long as there is adequate drainage.Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Jan. 2025
-
As an example, nutrients and vitamins like calcium and vitamin D are critical to ensure adequate bone health and to help prevent osteoporosis, a condition characterized by decreased bone mass that can predispose people to fracture their bones more easily.Omer Awan, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Online slots work on an RNG (Random Number Generation) model, ensuring a fair and honest outcome for every player.Matthew Gover, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
-
When asked how the Buccaneers have been able to battle back through adversity throughout the season and remain a winning product, Evans had a blunt, but honest answer.DJ Siddiqi, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Balancing cost efficiency with environmental and ethical standards adds another layer of complexity to the already difficult exercise of supply chain management, Bland added.SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 10 Jan. 2025
-
However, effective deployment requires careful attention to ethical considerations and user privacy to ensure consumer confidence in these systems.Glen Robinson, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
People on several continents were understandably pleased at the prospect of rule by this quiet, polite, diligent young man who had practiced eye surgery in London.Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 31 Dec. 2024
-
Another delegate in the same small-group discussion said that the ideas got polite but forceful pushback.Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near decent
Cite this Entry
“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share