overindulge
verb
over·in·dulge
ˌō-vər-in-ˈdəlj 
overindulged; overindulging
: to indulge (someone, or something) too much: such as
a
transitive
: to be too permissive with (someone)
They overindulged their grandchildren.
: to allow (oneself or another person) to have or do something to excess
For years he had overindulged himself in food, drink, and finally worry.—
Sean Dennis Cashman
Sean Dennis Cashman
b
transitive
: to yield too much to (something, such as a feeling, interest, or desire)
overindulged their children's whims
Already I had the uneasy feeling that I was overindulging that middle-aged longing for an epiphany …—John Gregory Dunne
John Gregory Dunne… it was felt … that in these two books Dickens had overindulged his liking for grotesque exaggeration and caricature.—Michael Hollington
Michael Hollington
c
intransitive
: to indulge too much
especially
: to have or do too much of something that one enjoys or desires
… probably enjoyed drinking and likely overindulged on occasion … —Corey Andrews
Corey Andrews Other studies are shedding light not just on why modern humans occasionally eat too much, but why, when we do overindulge, we often choose foods that aren't the best for us. —Paul Raeburn
Paul Raeburn Doctors who know better still overindulge in sweets … —Nick Romeo
Nick Romeo Occasionally … overindulges in long reminiscences of sports and school days … —Helen Benedict
Helen Benedict Examples of overindulge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The watchful eye of that Minerva marble statue nearby might just keep you from overindulging.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
Don’t overindulge Drowning your sorrows in a gallon of ice cream or a fifth of liquor is a post-breakup cliché.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Rohit doesn’t overindulge the positive Bazball messaging.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Plus, chocolate candy—whether dark, milk, or white—contains sugar, fat, and calories, all of which can negatively affect the heart if overindulged in.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overindulge
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Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2025
Don’t overindulge Drowning your sorrows in a gallon of ice cream or a fifth of liquor is a post-breakup cliché.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
Rohit doesn’t overindulge the positive Bazball messaging.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Plus, chocolate candy—whether dark, milk, or white—contains sugar, fat, and calories, all of which can negatively affect the heart if overindulged in.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overindulge
Cite this Entry
“Overindulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overindulge. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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