common decency

American  

[kom-uhn dee-suhn-see] / ˈkɒm ən ˈdi sən si /

noun

1. moral or ethical behavior that is guided by fairness, empathy, propriety, justice, etc..

   What ever happened to restraint, respect, and common decency?

   Let's show some common decency and humanity and make the law nondiscriminatory.

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Etymology

Origin of common decency

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

They said: "The trust fell way below the standard expected and showed not an ounce of common decency to a bereaved family."

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Most Americans understand this instinctively and reject government actions that violate their sense of what law and common decency permit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

I try to treat people with common decency and respect, and I’m gonna to keep doing that moving forward even though I fell short this week.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2024

“On its own, social isolation can foster a sense of alienation from humanity — from the common decency, social norms and kindness — that create safety in society,” Manly said.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2024

That the military was accountable, reasonable, and was kept in check by concentric circles of regulations, laws, common sense, common decency.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers