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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decorous
Pentagon leaders have almost always publicly couched the military’s use of violence in decorous euphemisms designed to show the solemnity of lethality.
—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
2 Feb. 2026
Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
16 Sep. 2025
The teenager, who spoke in hushed, decorous bursts, had months earlier shot rats near a friend’s camp in Manchac, dressed the carcasses (an intricate process, given the animal’s size), and frozen their haunches.
—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
2 Feb. 2026
Paul has to buck the prevailing suffragist movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt, whose methods are more decorous and patient.
—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
16 Sep. 2025
The teenager, who spoke in hushed, decorous bursts, had months earlier shot rats near a friend’s camp in Manchac, dressed the carcasses (an intricate process, given the animal’s size), and frozen their haunches.
—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decorous
Adjective
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The result is a chain of polite, yet simultaneously radical buildings with an exciting contour resembling a mountainous landscape – adding ‘bergen’ in De Bergen!
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Then, when regular channels deny your claim, send a polite, concise email to the company’s executives.
Adjective
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Fireworks from formal rocket shows to impromptu street celebrations can create extremely unhealthy air quality, sometimes rivaling what comes from wildfires.
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The impression was bolstered Friday afternoon when dozens of A-list celebrities were seen heading into the venue in formal wear, from Karlie Kloss and Hugh Grant to Jason Sudeikis and Chris Jones.
Adjective
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Families, educators and advocates described barriers to accessing proper support and services.
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Heat this severe can affect anyone without proper cooling or hydration, according to the weather service.
Adjective
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It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.
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The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.
Adjective
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Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.
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But the Celtics’ latest deal for George makes the Clippers original deal for George a lot more respectable.
Adjective
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Neither side has been shy of attacking, which has been a nice change of pace compared with the first couple of knockout stage matches.
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Been shooting some nice low scores in these last couple weeks outs here, so that’s something good to pat myself on the back.
Adjective
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Kelley said the company believed the existing easement was satisfactory and wasn’t told otherwise until after investing years of work on he project.
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For writing, editing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing, performance proved entirely satisfactory.
Adjective
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Jevremovic sued him for defamation in December but a judge threw out the case, citing that it hadn’t been filed in the correct jurisdiction.
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Croatia still furious Despite the correct decision being made, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić was far from happy, saying VAR had ruined the spirit of the game.
Cite this Entry
“Decorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decorous. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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