Synonyms of indulging

indulging

verb

present participle of indulge

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

• humoring
• gratifying
• pleasing
• spoiling
• catering (to)
• reveling
• delighting
• satisfying
• basking
• luxuriating
• pampering
• wallowing
• coddling
• pleasuring
• mollycoddling
• satiating
• sating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• checking
• curbing
• restraining
• inhibiting
• stifling
• constraining
• bridling

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

• surrendering
• abandoning
• yielding
• delivering
• reveling
• giving up
• overdoing
• overindulging
• basking
• wallowing
• luxuriating
• rolling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denying
• eschewing
• checking
• restraining
• refraining (from)
• forgoing
• abstaining (from)
• inhibiting
• forbearing

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

• spoiling
• pampering
• nursing
• pleasing
• satisfying
• coddling
• babying
• appeasing
• mollycoddling
• delighting
• cosseting
• dandling
• humoring
• mothering
• cockering
• contenting
• gratifying
• obliging
• wet-nursing
• catering (to)
• placating
• soothing
• gladdening
• pacifying
• mollifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abusing
• controlling
• misusing
• restraining
• mistreating
• manhandling
• disciplining
• mishandling
• maltreating
• neglecting
• oppressing
• violating
• ill-treating
• overlooking
• ill-using
• slighting
• molesting
• harassing
• torturing
• hurting
• tormenting
• harming
• outraging
• injuring
• persecuting
• victimizing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of indulging

Shaw’s witty drawing-room debates also warn of a society indulging its whims as catastrophe approaches — a question of how to live when the world careens toward darkness. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Adults aren’t always used to indulging this kind of curiosity. — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

His current employer is Damien Cantor, an authentically sleazy and slippery character who operates under no discernible code beyond indulging a dumb, preening narcissism. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

After the event was disrupted by an armed intruder, the Administration and the association scheduled a July do-over, where Trump delivered a rambling speech indulging seemingly every tangent that sprang to mind, but his contempt remained apparent. — Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026

And of course there’s a bookstore in town for indulging your inner Rory. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

From turning heads on the sidewalk to indulging at a local pub, the London native hits the streets with a touch of British humor and charm. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Remmick, Jimmy Crystal and Larry Lamb share an unrelenting desire to entertain, whether performing music outside a juke joint, indulging amusement with graphic violence or delighting the British reading public with scandal and drama. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Here was a doctor borrowing the language of a fast food brand while encouraging people not to fear indulging. — Karin Eldor, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026