splurge

1 of 2

noun

: an ostentatious effort, display, or expenditure

splurge

2 of 2

verb

splurged; splurging

intransitive verb

1
: to make a splurge
2
: to indulge oneself extravagantly
often used with on
splurge on a new dress

transitive verb

: to spend extravagantly or ostentatiously

Examples of splurge in a Sentence

Verb You should let yourself splurge once in a while.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Our big splurge was an omakase dinner at the eight-seat Sushi Hōseki restaurant at the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo, opened under the direction of chef Kenji Gyoten. Helen Schulman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 The whiskey is delicate and decadent, with notes of oak, chocolate, dark stone fruit, and tobacco on the palate—a worthwhile splurge for sure. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 Ayers’ chicken thighs and mac ‘n’ cheese are worth the caloric splurge. Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 That has led to splurges on services like travel agencies, which saw their revenues sink almost to zero during the worst of the pandemic. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 Finally, stay in one of the Iconic Suites, the largest in the Celebrity fleet, for the ultimate splurge. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024 From insulated travel blankets to cashmere splurges and everything in between, here are our favorite travel blankets on the market for all of your adventures. Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2024 This one is a splurge, but, oh, the bang for your buck. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 29 Jan. 2024 The addition of Shohei Ohtani was just the start of a $1.2-billion winter splurge, with a significant part of that directed toward addressing the obvious shortcoming of the roster, starting pitching. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024
Verb
Many Americans continue to splurge on travel and experiences like concerts and sporting events. Matt Egan, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 The fast-food joint joined the ranks of McDonald’s, KFC and Taco Bell parent Yum Brands, and Burger King parent Restaurant Brands, all of which posted disappointing fourth-quarter sales, largely thanks to customers being unwilling to splurge on pricier fast-food options. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 Our skinny jean selections start at just $22 and are capped at $320 (for those willing to splurge). Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 Falling inflation, rising growth give U.S. the world's best recovery For now, Putin can afford to splurge on the armed forces, thanks in part to Russia’s success at circumventing restrictions on its oil sales. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 Does one prefer more frugal living, saving, and cutting unnecessary expenses, while the other enjoys splurging on experiences or luxury items? True Tamplin, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 During the early days of the pandemic, as consumers were stuck at home, many splurged on new entertainment systems. Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024 There’s more to this spot than horse racing and gambling, so splurge on a late lunch at Frank’s Energy Beach, where picks include everything from sushi to burgers. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Despite global uncertainties, the ultra-wealthy are still splurging on high-end items, even in China, where luxury demand was in doubt due to a sluggish economy. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'splurge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of splash and surge

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of splurge was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near splurge

Cite this Entry

“Splurge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splurge. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

splurge

1 of 2 noun
: an instance of spending more than usual

splurge

2 of 2 verb
splurged; splurging
: indulge oneself or spend lavishly

More from Merriam-Webster on splurge

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