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
Taurus arrives at the function fully committed to the idea that the holidays are meant for rest, indulgence and enjoyment, as opposed to rushing around town or adhering to unnecessary plans.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Brands like Milka, for instance, have expanded ranges where a significant share of the bar is filled with yoghurt cream or rice crispies, lowering the cocoa intensity while keeping the perception of indulgence and value.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
Few things in life can instantly transport you back to the carefree days of childhood—when fun was found playing outdoors, and indulgence was in the simple things, like evening cones at the local ice cream spot.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Controlled indulgence wrapped in justification.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
Brands like Milka, for instance, have expanded ranges where a significant share of the bar is filled with yoghurt cream or rice crispies, lowering the cocoa intensity while keeping the perception of indulgence and value.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025
Few things in life can instantly transport you back to the carefree days of childhood—when fun was found playing outdoors, and indulgence was in the simple things, like evening cones at the local ice cream spot.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025
Controlled indulgence wrapped in justification.
—Marisa McMillan, Outside, 20 Dec. 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 27 Dec. 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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