overindulge

verb

over·​in·​dulge ˌō-vər-in-ˈdəlj 

overindulged; overindulging

: to indulge (someone, or something) too much: such as

a

transitive : to be too permissive with (someone)

They overindulged their grandchildren.

: to allow (oneself or another person) to have or do something to excess

For years he had overindulged himself in food, drink, and finally worry.

—Sean Dennis Cashman

b

transitive : to yield too much to (something, such as a feeling, interest, or desire)

overindulged their children's whims

Already I had the uneasy feeling that I was overindulging that middle-aged longing for an epiphany …

—John Gregory Dunne

… it was felt … that in these two books Dickens had overindulged his liking for grotesque exaggeration and caricature.

—Michael Hollington

c

intransitive : to indulge too much

especially : to have or do too much of something that one enjoys or desires

… probably enjoyed drinking and likely overindulged on occasion …

—Corey Andrews

Other studies are shedding light not just on why modern humans occasionally eat too much, but why, when we do overindulge, we often choose foods that aren't the best for us.

—Paul Raeburn

Doctors who know better still overindulge in sweets …

—Nick Romeo

Occasionally … overindulges in long reminiscences of sports and school days …

—Helen Benedict

Examples of overindulge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The squad is industrious, modest and devoid of cosseted, overindulged superstars. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024

The key, according to Tew, is not to overindulge outside of the fasting periods. —Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2024

Poverty, illiteracy, exploitation by the wealthy, searching for identity and belonging, and overindulging in sweets are some of the major themes in Wonka. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 15 Dec. 2023

The result: Issac is overindulged and self-centered—and Ali feels responsible. —Denise Schipani, Parents, 3 Nov. 2023

When the crush occurred, city officials either overtly or obliquely began propagating the notion that the revelers themselves must have been at fault, having overindulged in drink or drugs or otherwise ignored the obvious danger signs. —TIME, 26 Oct. 2023

And no doubt that would be welcome to restaurant staff as a deterrent to overindulging guests. —Emily Heil, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2023

Bottomless mimosa brunches may draw restaurant customers, but the sparkling wine and orange juice cocktails come with an obvious downside: patrons who overindulge and get sick. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2023

Not to mention that overindulging can leave you feeling run-down and unable to rally for another full day of family togetherness. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above