Courtesy
Courtesy noun - Speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding.
Usage example: a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness
Decency is a synonym for courtesy. (British) In some cases you can use "Decency" instead a noun "Courtesy". informal substitute
Nearby Word: courteous
Decency
Decency noun - Socially acceptable behavior.
Usage example: the standards of basic decency demanded that they help the old lady with her groceries
Courtesy is a synonym for decency in respectable behavior topic. You can use "Courtesy" instead a noun "Decency".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- grace and courtesy
- grace and decency
- kindness and courtesy
- kindness and decency
- benevolence and courtesy
- benevolence and decency
- respect and courtesy
- respect and decency
- thoughtfulness and courtesy
- thoughtfulness and decency
- consideration and courtesy
- consideration and decency
- tact and courtesy
- tact and decency
How words are described
| common | common courtesy | common decency |
| simple | simple courtesy | simple decency |
| little | little courtesy | little decency |
| basic | basic courtesy | basic decency |
| Other adjectives: surprising. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- Thomas Cromwell treats most people with decency and respect until they give him reason not to; he pulls up a chair for the near-fainting Princess Mary when her mother tells her to stand out of courtesy and is kind to his subordinates.
Source: Nice to the Waiter -
Technically they are answerable to the Galactic Council and the Port Admiral of the Galactic Patrol, but in the field they answer only to their own conscience.Kimball Kinnison: On this job I can recognize nothing of good taste, of courtesy, of chivalry, or even of ordinary common decency.
Source: Literature / Lensman
Cite this Source
Decency and Courtesy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/courtesy/decency
Courtesy & Decency. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/courtesy/decency>.
Decency or Courtesy. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/courtesy/decency.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "courtesy" and "decency" have occurred on timeline