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
Can overindulging in a single meal trigger a heart attack?
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2026
The South Node isn’t here to punish, but to expose the areas (and individuals in leadership or with a certain amount of fame) who have overindulged or relied upon superficial narratives for too long.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
And then there's the typical holiday temptation to overindulge.
—Robbie Owens, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2025
May your digestive tract be wary However, those ingredients that may help the sugar-free Oreos taste like the real thing could mean trouble for your digestive tract if overindulged.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overindulge
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Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2026
The South Node isn’t here to punish, but to expose the areas (and individuals in leadership or with a certain amount of fame) who have overindulged or relied upon superficial narratives for too long.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
And then there's the typical holiday temptation to overindulge.
—Robbie Owens, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2025
May your digestive tract be wary However, those ingredients that may help the sugar-free Oreos taste like the real thing could mean trouble for your digestive tract if overindulged.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Dec. 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 18 Jan. 2026.
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