respectability
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.
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At a time when other sitcoms occasionally tackled social issues in “very special” episodes and “The Cosby Show” hewed to its namesake star’s dedication to respectability politics, “A Different World” regularly confronted harder topics.
From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026
This last-minute legitimization would later allow Sand to legally inherit her father’s estate; it also established the uneasy balance between respectability and impropriety that would come to dominate her life.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Theater artists who have come of age in this period have been released from the burden of having to conform to notions of regional theater respectability.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
"The picture they tried to present to the outside world was one of respectability," he said.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
Like his lesser satellites, over the years Tom-Carl had assumed an ill-fitting air of respectability and did not care to be reminded of his nefarious beginnings.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
His neuroticism, although he learned to control it. left him with a lifelong terror of going beyond the "cleanly respectabilities."
From Time Magazine Archive
The degree to which one is incommoded with imperfect respectabilities, depends of course a good deal upon the extent of his good-nature, or his dislike of coming to strong measures in social life.
From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 431 Volume 17, New Series, April 3, 1852 by William Chambers
Your eyes betrayed it, and the corners of your mouth went up the least little bit, as if they'd go further up before they went down—as if you'd laugh away many solemn respectabilities.
From The Seeker by Harry Leon Wilson
Society is not so very exacting, but it revenges itself on people who defy the respectabilities.
From The Eternal City by Sir Hall Caine
It is not reckless of conduct, but surely enormously reckless of decorum, with its conventions and respectabilities clustering around the status quo.
From The Invisible Censor by Francis Hackett
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