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
But compared to luxurious collectibles, like say, designer bags or watches, toys that cost an average of $20 to $40 are not as expensive, and in uncertain times, people are looking for affordable indulgences.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
With just 35 rooms, the roof terrace of this small hotel is almost close enough to smell the smoke and comes with flower boxes and a sense of low-key indulgence.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Coarse bread became a symbol of poverty and austerity, while cloudlike cake became associated with celebrations and indulgence.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
This puts icy, lackluster varieties to shame with a vanilla bean-forward indulgence that coats the tongue with each and every bite.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
With just 35 rooms, the roof terrace of this small hotel is almost close enough to smell the smoke and comes with flower boxes and a sense of low-key indulgence.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Coarse bread became a symbol of poverty and austerity, while cloudlike cake became associated with celebrations and indulgence.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
This puts icy, lackluster varieties to shame with a vanilla bean-forward indulgence that coats the tongue with each and every bite.
—Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
Cite this Entry
“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgence. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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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