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
-
McLean then took the loss in his first WBC start, surrendering three runs over three innings in Team USA’s 8-6 defeat by Team Italy during pool play.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith had one of his worst nights, surrendering five goals on 21 shots.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unplugging these large appliances risks spoiling everything inside.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But Ryan put the game away with a 7-0 spurt, spoiling Glenn's first trip to the state finals.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Promoting such a high profile film—while also starring in Rachel Sennot’s buzzy HBO comedy I Love LA— has been both gratifying and, at times, nerve-wracking for the actor.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
Following that model means abandoning the democratic opposition within that country and installing a compliant puppet within the context of the existing regime.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Some lawmakers are leaving to chase higher office or abandoning Springfield politics altogether.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The provocative, genre-defying horror flick boasts unhinged gore, a delightfully dark sense of humor, Madigan as the creepiest aunt ever, and a crowd-pleasing finale.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Early reviews suggest a crowd-pleasing spectacle and likely box-office juggernaut.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 2026.
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