indulge

verb in·dulge \ in-ˈdəlj \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

Hulu One of the great joys of loving a movie or show is indulging in the merchandise that comes with it.

— karen han, Vox, "Creepy Handmaid’s Tale wine announced, canceled within 24 hours," 11 July 2018
For an even more elevated experience, indulge in one of the list's many vintages of Araujo, Colgin, Joseph Phelps, or Shafer Hillside Select.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Napa Valley and Sonoma County, California," 9 July 2018
Kourtney Kardashian is indulging in the local cuisine while in Italy for a romantic vacation with her boyfriend Younes Bendjima.

— ana calderone, PEOPLE.com, "Kourtney Kardashian Bares Her Bikini Butt (Which She Credits to 'This Italian Food') on Vacation," 26 June 2018
Though the series is now on summer break, during regular Friday and Saturday nights, eaters can indulge in dishes like mala instant noodles or bacon, egg, and chive scallion bing alongside a gin and chrysanthemum cocktail.

— mary wang, Vogue, "Could This Restaurant Be the Sweetgreen of Chinese Food?," 26 June 2018
After the hike down, indulge in a Wine & Cheese Pairing at Beano’s Cabin.

— Discover Magazine, "Be In the Moments, In the Mountains, Together," 22 June 2018
Since action Mars will be spending double time in your travel sector this summer, indulge in your curiosity to explore new lands, retreats, or even an abroad course of study.

— rebecca gordon, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Find Summer Romance According to the Stars," 21 June 2018
The quarterback didn't indulge in any self-promotion on Wednesday, though.

— aaron reiss, kansascity, "Barry Odom thinks Mizzou can 'lean on' veterans like Drew Lock this summer," 13 June 2018
At the bar, customers indulge in martini service and devour popovers with butter.

— devra first, BostonGlobe.com, "Your 20-ounce prime chateaubriand is ready for its closeup," 7 June 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