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

Synonyms of indulgent

• easy
• soft
• charitable

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

The best Mother’s Day gift ideas aren’t always the most obvious—they’re the ones that feel personal, thoughtful, and just a little indulgent. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Apr. 2026

Consumer credit subsidiaries of the largest banks stampeded to the most indulgent states, Joe Biden’s Delaware and Bill Janklow’s South Dakota. —George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026

Those flavor names alone are enough to catch the attention of anyone familiar with Crumbl’s approach to dessert — bold, indulgent and designed to generate buzz. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

BLTs reduced to mini size may be less indulgent than a whole sandwich. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin indulgent-, indulgens, present participle of indulgēre

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

indulgent

adjective

in·​dul·​gent in-ˈdəl-jənt 

: indulging or showing indulgence : lenient

an indulgent parent

indulgently adverb