decencynoun
uk/ˈdiː.sən.si/us/ˈdiː.sən.si/[ U ] behaviour that is good, moral, and acceptable in society:
a sense of decency
[ + to infinitive ] She didn't even have the decency to apologize.
the decencies [ plural ] UK old-fashioned
the acceptable or expected ways of doing something:
I hate going to funerals, but you must observe the decencies (= it is something you should do).
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Morality and rules of behaviour
- antisocial
- bioethics
- book
- claim
- conscience
- double standard
- ethic
- moralize
- morally
- norm
- object lesson
- precept
- social contract
- spirit
- the rights and wrongs idiom
- the ways of the world idiom
- two wrongs don't make a right idiom
- value
- voice
- wrong
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Manners & levels of formality