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
Hanks’s innate decency plays a part in several films, but it’s delivered in a different way in this underrated Cold War drama.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
No understanding of policy, no ability to put together a coherent argument, no honesty, no decency, no morals.
—ABC News, 27 Oct. 2024
Leah tells us about the lone woman who advocated for helping them, declaring that each one was someone’s son and deserved a bit of human decency.
—Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
This may be glorified B-movie material about Honor and Sacrifice and American Know-How, but Hanks’s decency and quiet authority sell the damn thing very nicely.
23.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decency 
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.
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
No understanding of policy, no ability to put together a coherent argument, no honesty, no decency, no morals.
—ABC News, 27 Oct. 2024
Leah tells us about the lone woman who advocated for helping them, declaring that each one was someone’s son and deserved a bit of human decency.
—Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
This may be glorified B-movie material about Honor and Sacrifice and American Know-How, but Hanks’s decency and quiet authority sell the damn thing very nicely.
23.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for decency
Dictionary Entries Near decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share