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
Andrew’s behavior has been far from either — instead showing indulgence without consequences.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Served at the hotel's Lex Yard restaurant and as part of the room service offering, the salad sits firmly at the intersection of old New York glamour and modern indulgence.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Invented in the 1950s for the Neiman Marcus restaurant, Million Dollar Dip is pure retro indulgence.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2025
Buying intentionally Zoomers enjoy little indulgences — whether that’s an expensive latte, clothing or a concert ticket, said NYU’s Watson.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Served at the hotel's Lex Yard restaurant and as part of the room service offering, the salad sits firmly at the intersection of old New York glamour and modern indulgence.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
Invented in the 1950s for the Neiman Marcus restaurant, Million Dollar Dip is pure retro indulgence.
—Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2025
Buying intentionally Zoomers enjoy little indulgences — whether that’s an expensive latte, clothing or a concert ticket, said NYU’s Watson.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 14 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 24 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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