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

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

Bardstown Bourbon Company, which is well known for indulging its experimental impulses, decided to blend together bourbon and rye and finish it in pineapple rum barrels with pieces of pineapple added to the whiskey for good measure. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026