respectables
Society's proper folk
Respectables refers to people who maintain conventional social standing and propriety—the established, reputation-conscious members of a community.
Often used with mild irony or critique, suggesting conformity over authenticity: The respectables of the town wouldn't be seen in such a place.
The term implies a class defined more by appearance and social approval than by genuine virtue.
Middle-class and conventional
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- gentlefolkPersons of high birth
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- eliteSuperior select group
upper-crust · well-to-do · notables · worthies · dignitaries · middle-class · mainstream
Following long-held customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- staidSerious and conventional
- buttoned-upFormally reserved, emotionally guarded
strait-laced · old-fashioned · prudish · proper · prim · decorous · restrained · modest
Fitting social conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
civility · propriety · decency · correctness · formality · respectability · seemliness · appropriateness
Position, physical or social
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- statusOne's relative position
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- reputePublic standing or esteem
honor · esteem · regard · recognition · respectability · trustworthiness · character · integrity
bourgeois
Middle-class and conventional
- establishmentFounded organization or venue
- gentlefolkPersons of high birth
- gentryHighborn but not noble
elite · upper-crust · well-to-do · notables · worthies · dignitaries · middle-class · mainstream
traditional
Following long-held customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- staidSerious and conventional
buttoned-up · strait-laced · old-fashioned · prudish · proper · prim · decorous · restrained · modest · reserved
decorum
Fitting social conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
politeness · civility · propriety · decency · correctness · formality · respectability · seemliness · appropriateness · genteelness
standing
Position, physical or social
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- statusOne's relative position
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
repute · honor · esteem · regard · recognition · respectability · trustworthiness · character · integrity · uprightness
respectablesoutcasts
Rejected, excluded people
pariahs · disreputables · untouchables · riffraff · dregs of society
respectablesdisreputables
People of poor standing
deviants · reprobates · miscreants · scoundrels · misfits