indulge

verb in·dulge \ in-ˈdəlj \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: indulge in a Sentence

Definition of indulge

indulged; indulging

transitive verb

1 a : to give free rein to

b : to take unrestrained pleasure in : gratify

2 a : to yield to the desire of : humor

please indulge me for a moment

b : to treat with excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration

intransitive verb

: to indulge oneself

—

indulger

noun

See indulge defined for English-language learners

See indulge defined for kids

Examples of indulge in a Sentence

It's my birthday. I'm going to indulge myself and eat whatever I want to eat.
It's my birthday. I'm going to indulge.
Please indulge me while I review the topics we covered yesterday.
The museum is an excellent place to let children indulge their curiosity about dinosaurs.
She bought a house with a big yard so that she could indulge her passion for gardening.

Recent Examples of indulge from the Web

An audience must be able to recognize the exceedingly uncomfortable nature of an exchange while also indulging in a scoop of schadenfreude.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "This viral news segment about an inflatable slide is an exquisite train wreck," 5 June 2018
As a burgeoning politician, indulging in writing is not as not as shrewd as say, taking up golf as a hobby in order to better network with the higher-ups.

— nicola pardy, refinery29.com, "Stacey Abrams’ Alter Ego Might Be The Key To Winning Georgia’s Election," 25 May 2018
And is there any limit to the right-wing demagoguery that Cagle and his rivals will indulge in to secure the nomination?

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The Two Staceys Versus GOP Wild Men: A Preview of Tuesday’s Primaries," 22 May 2018
West himself indulges in the look, mixed with schlubby sweatshirts, track pants, or ripped-up skinny jeans.

— max berlinger, GQ, "Why Everyone Is Dressing Like They Shop at the Army Surplus Store," 18 May 2018
Leaving the treatment on for just 15-20 min while indulging in a bit of Modern Family is my favorite way to treat myself.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "How 10 Powerful Women Practice ‘Self-Care Sunday’," 15 May 2018
More than 21 percent of respondents said their pet had consumed marijuana through edibles, another 20 percent said their pet had experienced a contact high, and nearly 15 percent said that their pet had indulged after getting into their stash.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Drugged up dogs & catatonic cats? Survey finds all too often our pets get into our meds," 7 May 2018
The incredible popularity of Gucci and other maximalist looks in fashion showcase how people are ready to let loose and indulge in fun and luxury,’’ Huh said.

— melissa rayworth, BostonGlobe.com, "Going glam with your home decor without going too far," 20 Apr. 2018
Weddings are an excuse to let loose and indulge in the name of love.

— NBC News, "How to survive wedding season without going broke (or having a meltdown)," 11 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of indulge

Latin indulgēre to be complaisant

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1623

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

indulge Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of indulge

indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

- indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

- pampered by the amenities of modern living

humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

- humored him by letting him tell the story

spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

- foolish parents spoil their children

baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

- babying students by grading too easily

mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

- refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

INDULGE Defined for English Language Learners

indulge

verb

Definition of indulge for English Language Learners

: to allow (yourself) to have or do something as a special pleasure
: to allow (someone) to have or do something even though it may not be proper, healthy, appropriate, etc.
: to patiently allow (someone) to do or say something