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
No one is being ordered to give up bread, meat or the occasional indulgence, just as no one should treat a diagram as a rigid prescription.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The result is a dish built for dipping, dragging and unapologetic indulgence.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Traditionally, bakers in European countries used up all their fats and sugar ahead of the Lenten season since religious observances forbid indulgences during the season.
—Jelissa Burns, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Starbucks is starting the year with a new batch of menu items aimed at customers looking for healthier options — and a bit of indulgence, too.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The result is a dish built for dipping, dragging and unapologetic indulgence.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Traditionally, bakers in European countries used up all their fats and sugar ahead of the Lenten season since religious observances forbid indulgences during the season.
—Jelissa Burns, Freep.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Starbucks is starting the year with a new batch of menu items aimed at customers looking for healthier options — and a bit of indulgence, too.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 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 11 Jan. 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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