1
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
some people miss the straitlaced propriety that was largely abandoned in the 1960s
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manner
proprieties plural
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting
an etiquette columnist who insists that traditional proprieties are necessary in order to maintain a civil society
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in appropriateness
the quality or state of being especially suitable or fitting
I'm not sure about the propriety of serving champagne in these glasses
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of propriety
Throughout the crisis, her burgeoning friendship with the hostage’s wife, challenges Barb’s usual sense of propriety and self-containment.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
This is a regimented world driven by ritual and propriety and a fear of seeming out of step.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Law enforcement recovered multiple digital devices belonging to Gong, some of which contained the company's propriety files.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
The curtains are drawn, the wine is chilled…Wear something reckless, as though mocking propriety.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for propriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for propriety
Noun
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The confrontation is sparking a conversation about theater etiquette.—
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Despite facing public scrutiny for everything from her etiquette to her clothes to her appearance, she is remembered as a style icon.—
Noun
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Many japonica camellias, in the manner of other botanical hybrids, are sterile with their yellow, thread-like stamens and stigmas either absent or invisible.—
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The coroner said the manner of death has been ruled an accident.—
Noun
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An argument over the appropriateness of the scene between Chase and Brown allegedly included an utterance of the N-word by Chase, which led to Brown storming off the set.—
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Blanche defended the redactions, saying a team of more than two dozen lawyers conducted a second-level review to ensure their appropriateness.—
Noun
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Usually, nothing happens, because that’s the beauty of us everywhere, there’s the same story, just the decorum changes and the dynamic changes.—
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Others just get giddy having a green light to upend society’s rules of decorum, even for a short window of time.—
Noun
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Still, whatever validity there is to his pain, Peter becomes a high priest of hallucination and Coon’s tortured Agnes his disciple.—
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Both pleaded not guilty and sought to have their respective indictments dismissed on numerous grounds, including the validity of Halligan's appointment.—
Noun
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The photographs are a reminder of the decency of ordinary Americans, and a memento mori, a warning of the risks to which Newsom is exposing himself.—
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Thompson mentions that cartoons from this era often leaned on straightforward ideas about decency, and Doug fit that mold without being preachy about it.—
Noun
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Usmanov’s defense team had challenged the allegations about his ties to the companies and valuables and the applicability of EU law in the case.—
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To the extent that a reader has any questions regarding the applicability of any specific issue discussed above to his/her individual situation, he/she is encouraged to consult with the professional advisor of his/her choosing, including a tax advisor and/or attorney.—
Noun
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The death of Amini in the custody of the morality police became a symbol of systemic repression, particularly against women.—
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Cami trying to bring morality to the oil industry sure sounds nice, but she would be eaten alive.—
Cite this Entry
“Propriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/propriety. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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