indulgent
adjective
in·dul·gent
in-ˈdəl-jənt 
1
: willing to allow excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration : indulging or characterized by indulgence
indulgent grandparents
2
: done or enjoyed as a special treat or pleasure
indulgent desserts
indulgently
adverb
Examples of indulgent in a Sentence
He gave the child an indulgent smile.
she was perhaps a bit too indulgent with her children, who always seemed to get away with everything
Recent Examples on the Web
Gleaming statement bottle aside, this smells rich and indulgent without smacking you in the face.
—
Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Apr. 2025
Lazarou’s moussaka, made with shrimp instead of the traditional lamb, was light and aromatic; a risotto of brown orzo with Greek cheese, chili pepper, and wine from the nearby island of Lemnos was somehow both wholesome and indulgent.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
We two were often indulgent with our gifts: a chest made
of trimmings from the Hardy tree, tokens
from the Queen, a heyday for biographers.
—Maya C. Popa, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Image As someone who grew up with an abundance of pets thanks to an indulgent, animal-loving father, I’m enchanted by the nonhuman protagonists in these memoirs, which remind me of the joyful, unpredictable chaos of living with animals.
—Alexandra Alter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgent
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Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Apr. 2025
Lazarou’s moussaka, made with shrimp instead of the traditional lamb, was light and aromatic; a risotto of brown orzo with Greek cheese, chili pepper, and wine from the nearby island of Lemnos was somehow both wholesome and indulgent.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025
We two were often indulgent with our gifts: a chest made
of trimmings from the Hardy tree, tokens
from the Queen, a heyday for biographers.
—Maya C. Popa, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Image As someone who grew up with an abundance of pets thanks to an indulgent, animal-loving father, I’m enchanted by the nonhuman protagonists in these memoirs, which remind me of the joyful, unpredictable chaos of living with animals.
—Alexandra Alter, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgent
Cite this Entry
“Indulgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgent. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indulgent
adjective
in·dul·gent
in-ˈdəl-jənt
: indulging or showing indulgence : lenient
an indulgent parent
indulgently
adverb
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