indulgence

noun

in·dul·gence | \ in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s

Definition of indulgence

1 : 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)

2 : the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent

3a : an indulgent act

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

4a : the act of indulging in something especially : self-indulgence

b : something indulged in walk off gastronomic indulgences— Barbara L. Michaels

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about indulgence

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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 this sense the bishop may resemble the hapless Johann Tetzel, a 16th century German Dominican friar whose name has become synonymous with the corrupt sale of indulgences. — William Mcgurn, WSJ, "When the Cardinal Sins," 30 July 2018 What’s your late-night room service order?Room service always feels like an indulgence, but in a very relaxed way. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Maria Sharapova Answers 37 Questions About Travel," 27 Aug. 2018 So give yourself permission to make mistakes and enjoy life's indulgences, with no regrets whatsoever. — Julia Naftulin, Health.com, "5 Mental Tricks to Feeling Amazing, Even if You Miss a Few Workouts," 10 Jan. 2018 Enjoy sweets and treats as indulgences in smaller amounts. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "A Plant-Based Diet, Like the One TODAY's Sheinelle Jones Is Following, Is 100% the Best Way to Eat," 29 Apr. 2019 There’s an opportunity with unicorn cake—a made-up dessert if there ever was one—to lose yourself in creative indulgence, and who couldn’t do with a bit of that? — Marley Marius, Vogue, "Here’s How to Make 2018’s Most-Googled Food," 12 Dec. 2018 To me, lingerie was always the ultimate indulgence. — Maria Del Russo, Glamour, "I Got Rid of All My Old Underwear and It Was Lifechanging," 10 Jan. 2019 Their guests don’t want Pilates classes or sunrise boot camps to pre-empt the indulgences that make vacations worth waiting for. — Margot Dougherty, WSJ, "Wellness Getaways That Come With Tequila," 20 Feb. 2019 One of my indulgences with this job is to review $4,000 audiophile headphones. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Sales are a measure of sales, not importance," 16 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indulgence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.