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

2

a

: an indulgent act

b

: an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor

3

: the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent

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)

Synonyms of indulgence

• kindness
• privilege
• service
• grace
• courtesy
• mercy
• blessing
• benevolence

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

Usually, such situations are due to some sort of island sickness or reward feast over-indulgence after weeks of not eating normal food. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026

While Silversea and Seabourn straddle the line between luxury and expedition, a pair of high‑end specialists cater directly to travelers seeking adventure wrapped in indulgence. —David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing indulgence

• plenary indulgence
• self-indulgence

Rhymes for indulgence

• overindulgence

Kids 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