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
In a more simplistic story, Derya and Aziz’s efforts to find a good private school for their daughter would come off as a hopeless bourgeois indulgence.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
However, Catholics often choose an indulgence to abstain from such as sweets or wine in observance.
—Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 26 Feb. 2026
The sleek gooseneck spout makes pouring even a simple cup of tea feel like an elegant act of indulgence, while the maple accents set across the frosty matte blue add a touch of hygge to any space.
—Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The menu is reminiscent of Mina’s other Bourbon Steak locations, like the ones in Santa Clara and San Francisco, and includes indulgences such as caviar trios and wagyu steak flights.
—Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
However, Catholics often choose an indulgence to abstain from such as sweets or wine in observance.
—Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 26 Feb. 2026
The sleek gooseneck spout makes pouring even a simple cup of tea feel like an elegant act of indulgence, while the maple accents set across the frosty matte blue add a touch of hygge to any space.
—Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
The menu is reminiscent of Mina’s other Bourbon Steak locations, like the ones in Santa Clara and San Francisco, and includes indulgences such as caviar trios and wagyu steak flights.
—Nora Heston Tarte, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 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 5 Mar. 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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