1
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

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 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
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
  • Some species, such as green June beetles, cause turf damage in a different manner.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 27 May 2025
  • In the middle of a seven-minute piece interpreted in an appropriately serious manner, Urie elicited unexpected giggles from the audience.
    Daniel Vaillancourt, Los Angeles Times, 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
  • 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
  • Resilient Test Intelligence: Test assets maintain validity through UI modernization cycles, preserving institutional knowledge across product iterations.
    Asad Khan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Moreover, this objection undermines the validity of your career.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • In the film, morality becomes ambiguous, and malleable even, as Coogler brilliantly illustrates duality in his characters and their development while incorporating themes of Hoodoo and Christianity.
    Nia Shumake, Essence, 15 May 2025
  • Global Constellation has unveiled a first exclusive still for the film, described as a harrowing and timely meditation on the collapse of morality in wartime, and the cost of survival when humanity itself is on the brink.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The concept took off quite quickly, boosted by the timely relevance of Covid in 2020.
    Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Of greater relevance for our purposes may be his relatively scarce international involvement since committing to the USMNT in 2022, having previously represented Germany at all major youth levels.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on propriety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!