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Showing results for propriety. Search instead for propriety/1.
Definitions

propriety

[pruh-prahy-i-tee] / prəˈpraɪ ɪ ti /
NOUN
suitableness, appropriateness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
correctness decorum legitimacy morality rectitude respectability suitability
STRONG
accordance advisability agreeableness appositeness aptness becomingness compatibility concord congruity consonance convenience correspondence expedience fitness harmony justice order pleasantness properness rightness seemliness
WEAK
ethicality meetness recommendability
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dishonesty
STRONG
disagreement discord incompatibility lawlessness unsuitability
WEAK
bad manners immorality impropriety inappropriateness misbehavior misconduct unsuitableness wrong
NOUN
good manners
Synonyms
STRONGEST
correctness decency decorum dignity modesty rectitude respectability
STRONG
amenities breeding civilities courtesy delicacy etiquette mores niceties politeness politesse protocol punctilio refinement seemliness
WEAK
accepted conduct good behavior good form rules of conduct social conventions social grace the done thing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impropriety indecency
STRONG
bad manners crudeness impoliteness rudeness
WEAK
immorality inappropriateness misbehavior misconduct unsuitableness wrong

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the sake of propriety — Paley was one of the 20th century’s most powerful media paschas — his indiscretions were kept quiet.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Both Bondi and Trump have defended the propriety of the donation.

From Salon • Jul. 17, 2025

The House of Lords Appointments Commission vets potential peers to "ensure the highest standards of propriety".

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2024

And once that line of propriety has been moved, there’s no nudging it back.

From Slate • Dec. 11, 2024

Hopefully it was just Mummy coming in to put my clothes away and not to wake me to see some horrible auntie who stopped by because she clearly has no sense of time or propriety.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.