indulgence

noun

in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s How to pronounce indulgence (audio)
Definition of indulgencenext
1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance as an only child, she was used to getting every kind of indulgence from her doting parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in luxury
something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary bubble baths were her one indulgence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 indulgence Why small indulgences fit the trend Little rewards keep holding their ground even when bigger budgets tighten. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026 How budgeting for little treats actually works Circana research found that some consumers maintain a dedicated budget line for small indulgences. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Evasive testimony and partisan indulgence by committee chairs are not new. — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 The show only exists because McConaughey and Harrelson decided to make it, and whatever passion, knowledge, grit, and hustle was needed to turn a celebrity indulgence into scripted entertainment is undetectable in the final product. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indulgence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulgence
  1. kindness
  2. luxury
  3. privilege
  4. amenity
  5. service
  6. grace
  7. courtesy
  8. mercy
Noun
  • For Caron, the interaction was especially meaningful because her son is not always met with the same kindness.
    — Logan Hall, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Tonight’s lesson is on truthfulness and embodying loving kindness.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • The Credit Suisse findings suggest that what holds value isn’t luxury per se, but specific tastes.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Kering doesn’t break down sales of individual houses except Gucci, but according to Bernstein estimates, the house generated less than €200 million in 2025, down sharply from a peak of €850 million during the post-pandemic luxury boom in 2022/2023.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of luxury
Noun
  • Advertisement The revolution still to come At the heart of the French Revolution of 1789 was the abolition of the privileges of the aristocracy and clergy.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Ah, to be a jaded 13-year-old who’s not always aware of his privilege.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • After decades of neglect and subsequent disrepair, it was recently restored into a luxurious one-bedroom retreat that honors its historic roots while embracing contemporary amenities like a king bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a sleek living area.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • People continue using the hallways, parking areas, and amenities, while employees continue cleaning and making repairs.
    — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of amenity
Noun
  • Metal forks are stored handles downward and plastic forks are positioned both directions for patron self service.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • These tools are primarily used by those who make less than $50,000 according to a 2022 Government Accountability Office report, with food and rent being the key reasons people use the service, one case study of food and restaurant workers found.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • The decision is a rebuke of the defense secretary, who has remained in the president’s good graces through numerous controversies.
    — Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The dodo, with its waddling gait, its stubby wings, its goggly eyes, and its preposterous beak, has none of the power, grace, or charisma of those other animals—but that’s part of its charm.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of grace
Noun
  • The rest of the kitchen is pretty in pink, courtesy of a rosy Zia Tile backsplash and mosaic countertops by Concrete Collaborative.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Hell, even recurring characters drop off without so much as the courtesy of a sickening demise.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of courtesy
Noun
  • Showing mercy to murderers historically has not been popular with voters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Take-Two would show CL no mercy —why should CL show any to them?
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of mercy

Browse Nearby Words

indulge (in)
indulgence
indulgences
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulgence. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on indulgence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indulgence

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All