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

2

a

: an indulgent act

b

: an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor

3

: the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent

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)

Synonyms of indulgence

• kindness
• privilege
• service
• grace
• courtesy
• mercy
• blessing
• benevolence

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

The book opens with Haskell cheekily insisting for a bartender to go ahead and add a floral garnish to his cocktail, and that wry indulgence in the fun of flowers and in deeper botanical knowledge is found on every page. — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 30 July 2026

Wellness elements are also included in the itineraries, adding balance to the indulgences through activities like spa treatments and movement sessions. — Taryn White, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

This town once attracted visitors seeking both health and indulgence, its opulent halls a testament to the town's status as a premier health resort destination. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026

The post-pandemic YOLO spending binges have given way to micro-indulgences. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing indulgence

• plenary indulgence
• self-indulgence

Rhymes for indulgence

• overindulgence

Kids 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