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
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Recent Examples of indulging
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
The other people Ye tries to big-foot into indulging his perverse Peter Pan complex fare more poorly.
—Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
Whether that’s indulging Wes Anderson’s imagination (as a three-time member of his ever-growing ensemble) or producing her own projects, Johansson always manages to surprise.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
My Rimowa cabin carry-on has been a reliable favorite for years—surprisingly spacious and perfect for indulging my overpacking tendencies.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
How did Chanel maintain her gamine figure while regularly indulging there?
—Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
Nominally, this is a feel-good redemption drama, though Perry can’t help indulging some darker impulses as well.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
And, heck, even Friday, particularly with Travis Kelce indulging and inciting fans at Neo Quimica Arena with dance moves during warmups before the Chiefs took on the Los Angeles Chargers.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
This isn’t about indulging individual preferences, but rather maximizing human potential.
—Neil Henderson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025
The other people Ye tries to big-foot into indulging his perverse Peter Pan complex fare more poorly.
—Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025
Whether that’s indulging Wes Anderson’s imagination (as a three-time member of his ever-growing ensemble) or producing her own projects, Johansson always manages to surprise.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
My Rimowa cabin carry-on has been a reliable favorite for years—surprisingly spacious and perfect for indulging my overpacking tendencies.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
How did Chanel maintain her gamine figure while regularly indulging there?
—Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
Nominally, this is a feel-good redemption drama, though Perry can’t help indulging some darker impulses as well.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
And, heck, even Friday, particularly with Travis Kelce indulging and inciting fans at Neo Quimica Arena with dance moves during warmups before the Chiefs took on the Los Angeles Chargers.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
This isn’t about indulging individual preferences, but rather maximizing human potential.
—Neil Henderson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulging
Verb
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Andrew might not move to Sandringham until after the Christmas holidays, another source said, because giving notice, surrendering the lease and orchestrating the move is expected to take some time.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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But while station owners no doubt had some worries about surrendering audience to streaming, Goldman says DWTS’s gains are proof that the two ecosystems can complement each other.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Josh Heupel’s Vols are relegated to potentially spoiling rival Vanderbilt’s hopes in the regular-season finale.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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This past weekend, Delaware State beat North Carolina Central on the road for the first time since 1977, spoiling homecoming weekend.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The early commercial success was gratifying, but Huguenin was not one to rest on her laurels.—
Adrian Miller,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
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Mekhai Lee Emotionally impactful and technically impressive, THEM THAT’S NOT is a gratifying story ripe with moments of joy, a hint of mystery, and an earnest, heartwarming climactic scene.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Labour will be very wary of abandoning its election manifesto promise not to raise income tax, however, and any moves to do so will leave the party wide open to attacks from opponents such as the Conservatives and increasingly popular party, Reform.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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Perhaps the biggest name to distance itself from BHV is Disney, with Disneyland Paris abandoning plans to design BHV’s famous Christmas window displays this year, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sweet potatoes add fall flair to this traditional crowd-pleasing appetizer.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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Propheter notes that Denver has a simple, if costly, option for pleasing bondholders.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indulging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulging. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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