indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s 
1
a
: the act of indulging in something
especially
: self-indulgence
b
: something indulged in
… walk off gastronomic indulgences.—
Barbara L. Michaels
Barbara L. Michaels2
a
: an indulgent act
b
: an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor
4
: remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)
Examples of indulgence in a Sentence
She lived a life of selfish indulgence.
his indulgence in forbidden pleasures
She found that she couldn't afford the indulgences she had once enjoyed.
For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Good food is my only indulgence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Classic for a reason, this breakfast icon is the perfect weekend indulgence.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
The state already sees the fallout from the Legislature’s past indulgence of the governor’s whims.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.
—CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Songcraft is still their priority, and their moments of indulgence are not without self-awareness or criticism.
—Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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Josh Miller, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
The state already sees the fallout from the Legislature’s past indulgence of the governor’s whims.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.
—CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Songcraft is still their priority, and their moments of indulgence are not without self-awareness or criticism.
—Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
Cite this Entry
“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgence. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s
1
: the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent
2
: an indulgent act
3
: something indulged in
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