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
Cast adrift in a frosty wilderness—a harrowing yet welcome departure, visually, from the Gothic shadows of Victor’s lair—the Creature experiences a dollop of decency, courtesy of a blind old farmer (a wonderful David Bradley), but also a deluge of misery, courtesy of everyone else.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Now is the time to show up, stand up, speak up for human decency.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
His sense of decency and fairness has earned him not only admiration, but genuine affection from everyone.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
To Subu’s defenders, that logic defies both fairness and decency.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
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Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Now is the time to show up, stand up, speak up for human decency.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
His sense of decency and fairness has earned him not only admiration, but genuine affection from everyone.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
To Subu’s defenders, that logic defies both fairness and decency.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decency
Cite this Entry
“Decency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decency. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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
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