1
as in humoring
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 surrendering
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 spoiling
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 indulging
The elder Junod gave off mixed messages, abusing his long-suffering wife while indulging his gifted son.
—
Hamilton Cain, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s a conversation for Nebraska worth indulging this spring.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Some people think indulging our children’s unexpectedly sophisticated tastes is financially reckless, socially absurd, or proof that parenting culture has lost the plot.
—Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Valentine’s Day is all about indulging your senses, especially your sense of smell.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026
By indulging his endless, self-destructive reserves of contempt, Doug chances upon a truth, not unlike what Oliver Stone did with JFK.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
The Animal Collective member’s first solo album is a personal, psychedelic trip indulging his fascination with the hurdy-gurdy.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
Hamilton Cain, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
There’s a conversation for Nebraska worth indulging this spring.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Some people think indulging our children’s unexpectedly sophisticated tastes is financially reckless, socially absurd, or proof that parenting culture has lost the plot.
—Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Valentine’s Day is all about indulging your senses, especially your sense of smell.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Feb. 2026
By indulging his endless, self-destructive reserves of contempt, Doug chances upon a truth, not unlike what Oliver Stone did with JFK.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
The Animal Collective member’s first solo album is a personal, psychedelic trip indulging his fascination with the hurdy-gurdy.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulging
Verb
-
After surrendering a lead-off homer in the ninth to William Contreras, Christian Yelich struck out swinging on a wild pitch and ended up at second.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In the Bay State Conference, Nick Buckley fired a complete game, surrendering just three hits and one unearned run while striking out eight, fueling Needham to a 2-1 victory over Brookline.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After Thursday’s game, Weaver faced questions from reporters as an obvious culprit in spoiling McLean’s masterpiece.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
More specifically — and without spoiling a story that piles the twists as high as the corpses — Pine's an ex-British soldier pulled from his porter duties and recruited to surveil a ruthless arms dealer, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie) staying at the hotel.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The shift in women's sports is both gratifying and bittersweet for players and coaches from the pioneering schools that helped spark this current growth.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What began as a way to embellish college entrance applications has become a gratifying life experience for the teens as well as the elementary school students.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On the other hand, abandoning public spaces — such as parks — to lawless tent encampments isn’t fair to residents, either.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Vice President Vance, Washington's lead negotiator, said a major sticking point that led to the breakdown in Saturday's talks was Iran's refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear ambitions.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Given how cautious and people-pleasing Grace is, that feels out of character.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Once in office, Bondi took on the difficult task of leading the Justice Department while also pleasing the president.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Our friends converted their 400-person reception hall wedding into a spirited dance party at their home, with small groups of well-wishers, each small enough to fit into their bomb shelter, taking turns reveling.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulging. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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