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GRE vocabulary

propriety

nounHigh-frequency wordMore P words

conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morality

Word origin: From Latin proprietas, fitness or appropriateness.

In a sentence

Propriety in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing propriety in a sentence.

She questioned the propriety of discussing salary negotiations in front of the entire staff.

She questioned the propriety of accepting gifts from a firm her committee was reviewing.

Synonyms
decorumdecencycorrectness
Antonyms
improprietyindecencymisconduct
Usage & nuance

Using “propriety” well

Propriety means conformity to accepted standards of conduct. Do not confuse it with property, an unrelated look-alike, or with proprietary.

Common questions

Questions about “propriety

Propriety (noun) means conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morality
Here is propriety used in an example sentence: "She questioned the propriety of discussing salary negotiations in front of the entire staff." Another example: "She questioned the propriety of accepting gifts from a firm her committee was reviewing."
Common synonyms for propriety include decorum, decency, correctness.
Antonyms of propriety include impropriety, indecency, misconduct.
On the GRE, propriety clusters with decorum, decency, and correctness, opposing impropriety, indecency, and misconduct.
Yes. Propriety is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.