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 Because this event, this game, is an indulgence best enjoyed family-style. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 30 June 2026 Now the carriages are no longer a necessity but an indulgence aimed at tourists. — Andrea Sachs The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026 Chocolate is one of Americans' favorite indulgences, with consumers spending billions of dollars on it every year. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 June 2026 More abstract, there is a widespread belief (or there was, before this summer) that AC is a wasteful and distinctly American indulgence. — Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 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
  • Friends and colleagues contrasted her pugnacious political statements with her personal kindness and good humor.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Acts of kindness are few and far between in the punishing Myanmar textile factory where young San Kyi (Nandar Myat Aung) makes a meager living, hunched over a sewing machine.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • The company is based in Gwinnett County and specializes in mimicking the appearance of 1970s-era Ford Broncos and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons with all the bells, whistles and customization of new luxury vehicles.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 10 July 2026
  • According to the latest Bain and Altagramma luxury goods study published in June, jewelry is leading the luxury sector’s growth.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Definition of luxury
Noun
  • The rhythm and schedule of a World Cup does not allow England such privileges.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • For Catherine, most of these dietary rules are about practicality rather than privilege.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 July 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • While many of the home’s ornamental features are timeless and highly sought-after even today, that’s not the case with the kitchen’s amenities.
    — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
  • Enjoy a wet bar, formal dining room, and VIP amenities, including welcome bites and turndown goodies.
    — Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026
Definition of amenity
Noun
  • The Lodging Association letter, which was written by executive director Fred Tayco, says charging hotels a flat fee could violate Proposition 26’s requirements that fees not exceed the reasonable cost of providing a service.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Lainez said the city would have had to make cuts to senior programs, public safety services and capital improvement projects.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • With the grace of a bull in a china shop, Thiero flung himself toward the rim.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Per Vanity Fair, Charles is estimated to control around 100 grace-and-favor residences.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of grace
Noun
  • And so is the explosion of island greenery at the end, courtesy of Te Fiti, who is really the earth mother.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • All of it is courtesy of G&P Records, Local H’s in-house merch arm run by long-time friend and unofficial third member Gabe Rodriguez.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 8 July 2026
Definition of courtesy
Noun
  • Lacey hates this idea, but the group decides to go with showing mercy this time around.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • Yet the greater influence, Campo believes, on America’s self-governing sense of law, justice and mercy is found at the Museum of the Bible, where the famous portrait of General Washington in prayer headlines the museum’s exhibit.
    — Lauren Green, FOXNews.com, 2 July 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 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on indulgence

Nglish: Translation of indulgence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indulgence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All