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 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
The movie, to my eyes, badly miscalculates the ratio of paradise to despoilment, indulging the latter at the expense of the former.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
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
The movie, to my eyes, badly miscalculates the ratio of paradise to despoilment, indulging the latter at the expense of the former.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulging
Verb
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Western industrialism arrived in the 19th century under the Meiji Restoration, but even then, Japan found a way to absorb foreign ideas without surrendering its identity — to modernize without Westernizing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Oct. 2025
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The Steelers' defense was absolutely shredded by 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals' offense on Thursday night, surrendering 470 total yards in the 33-31 loss.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Without spoiling anything, Liberation’s ending doesn't quite stick the landing either.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
For the party’s new leadership, running Libertarian candidates and providing an outlet for their voters’ political perspective isn’t spoiling.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But for now, having the product in people’s hands and offering women a solution unlike anything else is gratifying.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Seeing the results of their work has been gratifying.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Avoid abandoning any fire without supervision.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
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Under Armour isn’t abandoning traditional advertising, Rutstein says.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 2025.
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