1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
we were asked to be on our most decorous behavior at the formal event
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details
the oppressively decorous standards of a royal court
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decorous
Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
—
Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
—The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
Adjective
-
Throughout his unfortunately short life, Charlie committed himself unreservedly to reasoned debate, rational discourse, and the polite exchange of opinion.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
It is paneled in dark wood, the chairs are heavy leather and the murmur of polite, intelligent conversation hangs in the air.—
Benjamin D. Summers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The former officials’ attorneys, represented by former Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell, are seeking back pay and a formal declaration that the firings were unlawful.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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The proposal has not yet been presented to the FA Board and there has been no formal vote at EFL level, either.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After the 1-0 win, Bright spoke to the media about being ‘proper English’.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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The proper name for the show is IAA Mobility 2025, short for Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But all of that also was punctured in the last Super Bowl, when the Chiefs fell behind 34-0 before putting up some late points to make the final margin appear far more respectable than the game was.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Sep. 2025
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Duke has at least been respectable for some time.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Since its premiere in 2011, Downton Abbey has bid audiences adieu a few times — first, with its television finale after six seasons; then, over the course of two films, any one of which could have been a satisfactory conclusion for this cadre of characters.—
Mekishana Pierre September 11,
EW.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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While the golf course renovation was not satisfactory to many people, it was needed.—
Steven Franck,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Lloyd is 100 percent correct that throwing him into his first start against any of those teams could end up being a massive mistake and could set him up for failure.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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All documents marked secret should only be visible to people with the correct clearances.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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