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 skaters, staff, volunteers and fans were generous in indulging me.
—
Brian Munoz, NPR, 11 Jan. 2026
José Daniel Ferrer’s life exposes the costs of indulging revolutionary illusions.
—Michael Lucchese, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
For The Union-Tribune Well, holiday indulging was fun, right?
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Keep the spirit of exploration alive by indulging your mind at every opportunity.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
And finally, don’t stress too much about indulging—especially if gingerbread is your favorite.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
After sustained periods of indulging, the liver is the first to suffer.
—Mélanie Nauche, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025
What’s gained by indulging our doom?
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
But Septime Webre’s choreography is supposed to have the air of wild and sometimes frenzied social dancing, of Charlestons and Fox Trots and Black Bottoms, of indulging the glorious excesses of the 1920s before the greedier side of the American Dream comes crashing down a few years later.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025
Brian Munoz, NPR, 11 Jan. 2026
José Daniel Ferrer’s life exposes the costs of indulging revolutionary illusions.
—Michael Lucchese, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
For The Union-Tribune Well, holiday indulging was fun, right?
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Keep the spirit of exploration alive by indulging your mind at every opportunity.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
And finally, don’t stress too much about indulging—especially if gingerbread is your favorite.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 22 Dec. 2025
After sustained periods of indulging, the liver is the first to suffer.
—Mélanie Nauche, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025
What’s gained by indulging our doom?
—Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
But Septime Webre’s choreography is supposed to have the air of wild and sometimes frenzied social dancing, of Charlestons and Fox Trots and Black Bottoms, of indulging the glorious excesses of the 1920s before the greedier side of the American Dream comes crashing down a few years later.
—David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulging
Verb
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Green Bay has struggled mightily against the run, surrendering an average of 198 rushing yards in the last three games.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
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The suspect drove around the area before surrendering to police in Atwater Village.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Butter crocks are designed with an air-tight seal and a separate space to store water at the bottom that prevents air from reaching the butter, which can lead to spoiling.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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There is also a fear in Cuba that the developments in Venezuela could cause a deterioration of the quality of life because of power issues, including with spoiling food, trash and mosquitoes.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The show can be funny, the camaraderie among the characters is gratifying, and the doctors are extraordinarily good-looking in the way only TV doctors can be.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
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There’s just something so gratifying about being able to say thank you.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Gonzales has pleaded not guilty at trial to 29 counts of endangering or abandoning children.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
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That means abandoning your inhibitions and not getting hung up on grammar or achieving proficiency, said Thomas Sauer, assistant director of resource development for the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Turn French toast into a crowd-pleasing casserole in this easy to make casserole that even the kids can help prepare.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
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The actress and comedian almost singlehandedly revived the Golden Globes telecast last year with a hosting gig that did the near-impossible feat of pleasing a room full of A-listers and seemingly everyone who watched on TV.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulging. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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