indulge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb indulge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of indulge are baby, humor, mollycoddle, pamper, and spoil. While all these words 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

Where would baby be a reasonable alternative to indulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to indulge, baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

When could humor be used to replace indulge?

The words humor and indulge can be used in similar contexts, but humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

When would mollycoddle be a good substitute for indulge?

While the synonyms mollycoddle and indulge are close in meaning, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

When is it sensible to use pamper instead of indulge?

The words pamper and indulge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When can spoil be used instead of indulge?

In some situations, the words spoil and indulge are roughly equivalent. However, spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of indulge Tickled by his enthusiasm, Mishra graciously indulged his demands. Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025 There’s a distinction between grappling with reality, however, and indulging unduly in cynicism. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 There’s no better way to indulge your love of dairy creaminess while learning about all sorts of new cheeses and regions. Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Guests can order craft cocktails at the circular bar, and for those who indulge, there’s a small, clandestine cigar room just off the entrance. John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulge
Verb
  • Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
    Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 9 May 2025
  • The gratifying news is that, almost a century later, Tables for Two is still running, now with Helen Rosner in the Lois Long seat.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • Despite peppering Providence goaltender Michael DiPietro with 40 shots while surrendering just 19, the Checkers fell 3-2 in Game 3 of their AHL Atlantic Division semifinal series.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
  • Cardinals must surrender all electronic devices, and the Sistine Chapel is placed under full lockdown.
    Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • It's even claimed to reduce the creation of contrails, which will please some conspiracy theorists.
    David Szondy May 16, New Atlas, 16 May 2025
  • Do the citizens of the United States really want food, health care, housing, clean air and water, cancer research and much more taken away from us in order to have a military parade to please the president?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • When Lollapalooza first announced that Olivia and Sabrina Carpenter were headlining this summer (along with Tyler, the Creator and Rüfüs Du Soul), with Abrams also in a top slot, there was the predictable gnashing of teeth that Lollapalooza is abandoning its precious rock heritage.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025
  • President mulls joining Russia-Ukraine peace talks, expects ceasefire With Russian forces now in control of close to a fifth of Ukraine, Putin has held fast to his longstanding demands for Kyiv to cede territory, abandon its NATO membership ambitions and become a neutral country.
    USA Today, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Continue reading here Angels box score MLB scores MLB standings WNBA From Anthony De Leon: Even on Mother’s Day — the day dedicated to relaxation and pampering for moms — the Sparks will take the hardwood in Torrance, sweating through defensive sets, refining footwork and hitting jumpers.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • Guests can also choose pampering with facials, body scrubs, and a range of wellness experiences.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Service animals perform vital jobs, but humoring selfish pet owners is not one of them.
    Philip Galanes, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Irate and dismissive, but then reluctantly indulgent, Ed agrees to humor Simon, if only with the expectation of dispelling his paranoia.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Interviews with the soldiers and Russian opinion surveys show that such a truce would also fail to satisfy a large part of Russian society.
    Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Designed to satisfy North American tastes, Nutella Peanut will blend the traditional creamy recipe from 1964 with the flavor of roasted peanuts.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Indulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulge. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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