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indulge

Definition of indulgenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb indulge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of indulge are baby, humor, mollycoddle, pamper, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

Where would baby be a reasonable alternative to indulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to indulge, baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

When could humor be used to replace indulge?

The words humor and indulge can be used in similar contexts, but humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

When would mollycoddle be a good substitute for indulge?

While the synonyms mollycoddle and indulge are close in meaning, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

When is it sensible to use pamper instead of indulge?

The words pamper and indulge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When can spoil be used instead of indulge?

In some situations, the words spoil and indulge are roughly equivalent. However, spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of indulge Those who celebrate the holiday tend to enjoy rich, fat and sweet foods, viewing it as the last day to indulge before Lent. Jelissa Burns, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026 As for whether whims like that need to be indulged, Mayer, perhaps not surprisingly, is on the side of the talent. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026 Keep the spirit of exploration alive by indulging your mind at every opportunity. Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026 Many touches indulge both guest and creator. Tom Page, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulge
Verb
  • And the coach was deeply gratified to witness a step in the quarterback’s development unlike any other.
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Michael DeMocker / Getty Images Still, Smart sounded gratified by his opportunity to be part of another big game in the Big Easy.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Leaning on do-everything running back Bijan Robinson would make a lot of sense, except the Colts hold teams to just 87 rushing yards per game (fourth fewest) and have surrendered only six rushing touchdowns in nine games.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Economic strain is one of the leading reasons animals are surrendered to shelters, spokesperson Kirsten Peek said.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Pluribus crackles with terrific comic tension as Carol wakes up next to her dead partner, filled with grief yet spoiling for a fight.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Without spoiling too much, the two-minute clip finds Carol weathering ample concern for her less-than-cheery demeanor.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • State media in Iran called the protesters terrorists, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a public address on Friday, accusing Iranians of ruining their own streets to please the president of the United States.
    Haley Ott, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Whether waffle or jacquard, bath sheet or bath towel, Egyptian long-staple cotton or Turkish organic cotton, our favorite high-end options aim to please.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Miami Hurricanes are at home, while the entire state of Indiana – save for some in West Lafayette – is content to abandon their homes to enjoy this unexpectedly stupefying playoff march.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Season One concludes with the Texas Tech geology graduate abandoning a well crew after tragedy strikes, only to achieve rapid success in his personal and work endeavors.
    Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Crystal Mountain, Michigan Founded in 1956 as a community ski area, Crystal Mountain (28 miles southwest of Traverse City) has become a destination for healthful, pampering getaways.
    Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Whatever the case, pamper yourself in a pleasing way.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who otherwise has humored Trump at every turn, has expressed revulsion at the idea of a pardon.
    Robin Abcarian, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In a live interview, Jimmy Kimmel asked Aniston to humor him in a huge way.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The crab rangoon added a satisfying crunch and works well as a sharable appetizer.
    Alexa Stone January 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The great mystery is whether every solution — every single possible fluid history that satisfies the Navier-Stokes equations — makes sense everywhere and always.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Indulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulge. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on indulge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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