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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word decent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of decent are chaste, modest, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

When is chaste a more appropriate choice than decent?

The meanings of chaste and decent largely overlap; however, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of decent?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

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 decent Novak is a decent player signed to a reasonable contract ($3.5 million AAV for two more seasons). Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025 The Mets can afford to value offense at the corners and still be at least a decent defensive team because their defense up the middle — at shortstop, second base and center field — projects to be above average. Will Sammon, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 The webcam records in 1080p resolution—anything less would be disappointing for the price—and delivers clear video quality with decent lighting balance in my tests. Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 22 Feb. 2025 There is a decent connected satnav, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t supported. James Morris, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decent
Adjective
  • Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice?
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The Boomers’ American Dream of working hard will provide for a nice house with a white picket fence, new cars, a family, financial security, and pensions.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Quang enjoyed a successful pharmaceutical sales stint as a top producer for Astra/Merck and then Genentech.
    Quang X. Pham, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The outgoing Chairman, Gen. Charles 'CQ' Brown, Jr., USAF, has served with distinction in a career spanning four decades of honorable service.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The chairman alleged Sherman colluded with some board members to wrest control by making changes to the board’s composition by appointing two new directors without proper vetting by the nominations committee.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The on and off ramps at Exit 74 on I-95 lack the proper acceleration and deceleration lanes that merge on and off I-95.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Further research on the toxicity of A. muricata and clinical trials testing the pure compounds are needed to fully elucidate its pharmacological activities and ensure the safety of A. muricata as a potential drug for various diseases.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
  • There will be an all-electric Ferrari by then, and Ferrari’s strategy of hedging its bets by continuing with hybrid and pure internal-combustion drivetrains alongside its new electric model might look prescient.
    Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Housing reforms to guarantee adequate air filtration and appropriate isolation facilities.
    Powel H. Kazanjian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
  • After more than 15 months of continuous bombardment, deaths, injuries and displacement, children and families across Gaza are struggling to survive without adequate food, medicine or shelter.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But to be honest the significant immune support is more than enough to keep me taking it.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Without fair elections, an honest media environment and a credible opposition, voters can’t correct their country’s course at the ballot box, providing competitive authoritarian regimes little incentive to do anything but enrich themselves.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • As audiences continue to grow, the demand for authentic and ethical content has never been more important.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025
  • But sometimes, staying is the more ethical choice, Rutgers philosophy professor Alex Guerrero told Morning Edition host A Martínez.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Interaction with the clients is very polite, very kind—but very short.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Every fictional serial killer and practically every fictional psychopath post-Silence of the Lambs owes some debt to Hopkins' radical performance — wry, polite, delicate, and demonic.
    EW.com, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decent. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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