1
as in to gratify
to give in to (a desire)
the grandparents indulged the child's wishes to an extent that they never did with their own children
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to surrender
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly
conventioneers who were obviously eager to indulge themselves in all of the vices that Las Vegas might offer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to spoil
to treat with great or excessive care
you indulge those grandkids in ways you never did with your own kids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of indulge
Fans who have known little more than disappointment are now indulging dreams of seeing the Knicks win their first championship since 1973.
—
Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
Rooms are luxurious without feeling stuffy, and staff members have been known to indulge dogs with extra treats.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
One thing leads to another and soon Isabel is indulging Pat’s sense of cultural superiority by showing him her spots.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
This Valentine’s Day, whether Cupid’s bow found your match or your gal pals are your most beloved companions, there is something around Rhode Island to set your heart fluttering, or at least indulge your craving for sweets, romance and maybe some bubbly, too.
—Susan McDonald, The Providence Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indulge
Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026
Rooms are luxurious without feeling stuffy, and staff members have been known to indulge dogs with extra treats.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
One thing leads to another and soon Isabel is indulging Pat’s sense of cultural superiority by showing him her spots.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
This Valentine’s Day, whether Cupid’s bow found your match or your gal pals are your most beloved companions, there is something around Rhode Island to set your heart fluttering, or at least indulge your craving for sweets, romance and maybe some bubbly, too.
—Susan McDonald, The Providence Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for indulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulge
Verb
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Rick Celebrini was gratified to see Macklin evolve into a key player for Canada as opposed to simply getting a small dose of the Olympics as a 19-year-old star who has since returned to the San Jose Sharks.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
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In the years since my first session, it’s been gratifying to see psychedelics becoming more widely accepted.—
Erica Rex,
STAT,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The policy, implemented last fall, prompted most Pentagon reporters to surrender their credentials rather than agree to restrictions.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Second- and third-round picks usually only return depth players at the deadline, but Columbus has acquired a legitimate difference-maker with term beyond this season without surrendering a first-round pick or any prospects.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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South Florida’s bar scene is constantly spoiling us.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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Rancidity occurs when naturally occurring fats in the flour oxidize, like how olive oil can spoil.—
Amy Sherman,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hotel's restaurant, Pavyllon by Yannick Alléno, is duly grand, with white tablecloths, velvet banquettes, and a menu that, according to general manager Romain Mervelay, marries French techniques with seasonal ingredients to please British palates.—
Abbey Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
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After church service is done and all the Easter eggs have been found, gather the family for a crowd-pleasing meal that's already ready to serve.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the island seems as forlorn and abandoned as any time since the fall of the Soviet Union.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Friday’s race was a replacement for the downhill five weeks ago at Swiss resort Crans-Montana, abandoned after Vonn crashed and tore the ACL in her left knee.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Guests are pampered in personal huts that provide the utmost in privacy and silence and can choose from a full menu of options, including massages and facials that highlight local traditions and skin-healthy ingredients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
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They should not be pampered more; they should be pushed more.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This gulf has long been a source of misunderstandings, superiority complexes and also humor.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 Nov. 2025
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Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who otherwise has humored Trump at every turn, has expressed revulsion at the idea of a pardon.—
Robin Abcarian,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For Kelce, the most poetic ending, and likely the only truly satisfying one, would be to become part of Reid’s fourth Super Bowl-winning team — a monumental task, especially after the team’s decline last season.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
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The protein helps satisfy hunger, and the probiotics support gut health.—
Lauren Manaker,
SELF,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulge. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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