indulge

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 The blue-collar pretense of millionaire Springsteen indulges blue-state politics. Armond White, National Review, 28 May 2025 Piani indulges, perhaps a bit too much, in the culture of a residency. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 Lot holders know that tchotchkes aren’t allowed but that the grounds crew will indulge them, for a time. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Strive to indulge once in a while without overdoing it. Leigh Morgan, Quartz, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for indulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulge
Verb
  • Shows about money gratified both people’s escapist impulses and the desire to critique those who didn’t seem worthy of their blessings.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 June 2025
  • The sculpture’s location itself is one of total urban deletion and communicative displacement as much as the sculptural structure is one of perceptual withdrawal and refusal of even a minimum of gratifying tactility.
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Left-hander José Castillo surrendered RBI singles to Eli White and Nick Allen.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025
  • Dominic Canzone’s sixth-inning home run was the seventh run Ober gave up, marking the second time in three starts that Ober has surrendered seven runs.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Gallo California Chardonnay California in a bottle, this budget-friendly Gallo California Chardonnay is crafted to please a wide range of palates.
    Chelsea Frank, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Active Time: 40 mins Total Time: 40 mins Nostalgic and comforting, this creamy, cheesy pasta will please the whole family.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • To add insult to injury, Pfizer abandoned its plan just a few years after the Kelo decision, just as its tax breaks were about to expire and after about $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, and the land remains a vacant lot all these years later.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
  • While families may choose various savings tools, abandoning Florida’s institutions over political disagreements undermines the progress made by thousands of dedicated students, faculty and staff.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel Partying meets pampering at the pink-hued paradise of The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel.
    Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Is this a Marner thing, or a sign that the team pampers their stars and that Blue and White disease is worse than ever? P Paul M. · 3h 30m ago Why is Marner so mad .
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Who else will stage Chris Fleming’s plays, or humor Pete Holmes’s dad jokes, or let Lauren Cook call in a bit?
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • Foxx opened, prompting laughter and humored reactions from the crowd.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Under Chapter 11, creditors, including the IRS, cannot take your primary residence to satisfy debts.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
  • Serve up a board at a party, and have fun sampling all the different flavors with your guests, or whip up a quick flight for a drool-worthy afternoon snack that satisfies all your cravings.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Indulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulge. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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