INDULGING Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

indulging

verb

present participle of indulge

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

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

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of indulging On that note, resist the urge to bury discomfort by indulging, shopping or being stubbornly silent. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026 Will blamed Cal for the idea; Cal, Will for indulging it; both of them the other for not being the one dead. — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 Chronicle is one of the best superhero movies of the modern era, subverting many of the genre’s tropes and character types while indulging the right amount of camp and spectacle (and all under 90 minutes). — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 But the servers and butlers certainly step up and can be seen indulging young guests, giving parents the chance to dine uninterrupted. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026 In addition to streamlining operations and closing underperforming restaurants, Adamolekun and Red Lobster are engaging with customers and indulging their nostalgia. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 Thank you for indulging me on that. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 26 May 2026 The charming thing is, McCartney is indulging a lot of youthful crushes in these songs. — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 May 2026 The decor offers a colorful contrast to the austere exterior, allowing the house to honor the neighborhood while indulging the whims of its occupants. — Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulging

Verb

For anyone who felt that way in 2024, reading polling conducted during the past year must’ve been a deeply gratifying experience.

— Jack Herrera, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
From the gratifying casual exchanges being experienced by anyone going to Fan Fest, getting on the KC Streetcar, happening upon visitors in restaurants or attending satellite festivities.

— Vahe Gregorian July 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026

Definition of gratifying

Verb

England was knocked out of the World Cup in painful fashion on Wednesday, surrendering two goals in the final 15 minutes of its semifinal clash with Argentina.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 July 2026
Giving up citizenship means surrendering valuable rights that may benefit not only you but also future generations of your family.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of surrendering

Verb

Long-haul business-class menus are expansive, with a mix of unique Fijian dishes and crowd-pleasing standards.

— Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026
Use up the last of those fresh summer peaches on this crowd-pleasing fruit cobbler recipe that only calls for six ingredients.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 July 2026

Definition of pleasing

Verb

Three years after buying Bellus Health and its chronic cough candidate camlipixant for around $2 billion, GSK is abandoning the program, Pharmaphorum points out.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 17 July 2026
The idea of abandoning the whole schedule alarmed several health officials, including then-FDA commissioner Marty Makary and Tracy Beth Høeg, one of his top deputies, four sources said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of abandoning

Verb

The Dodgers’ come-from-behind win in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series clinched a series victory over the Yankees and produced the prevailing image of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and their teammates reveling on the Yankee Stadium diamond.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
When the Black Queen’s message arrives in the Riverlands, the king consort, lil’ Oscar Tully, and their new pal Roddy the Ruin are busy reveling, making up ballads dedicated to their own derring-do.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026