Definition of lavishnext
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lavish

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lavish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lavish are exuberant, lush, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When might exuberant be a better fit than lavish?

The words exuberant and lavish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

In what contexts can lush take the place of lavish?

In some situations, the words lush and lavish are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lavish?

Although the words luxuriant and lavish have much in common, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When is prodigal a more appropriate choice than lavish?

The synonyms prodigal and lavish are sometimes interchangeable, but prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When would profuse be a good substitute for lavish?

The meanings of profuse and lavish largely overlap; however, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 lavish
Adjective
The deep crimson drapes, white tablecloths, and understated gold accents at T’ang evoke a lavish Chinese mansion. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026 As a whole, the ballet’s arc can feel unfocussed, arhythmic—some parts overstuffed with action, others failing to fill with expressive movement Joby Talbot’s lavish score. — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
The messages quickly took on a romantic tone, the lawsuit claims, all while the coach allegedly lavished the player with gifts, including direct payment of some $450 and AirPods worth another $400. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026 The ceremony can be found on YouTube and includes Gloria Steinem lavishing the character with praise. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • Dry eye disease is tied to excessive tear evaporation or inflammation on the eye’s surface.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The researchers also reported that giving testosterone after injury reduced the excessive cardiovascular reactivity caused by traumatic brain injury in their model.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Scientists identified abundant esterase enzymes in LCAP-containing forest samples.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • After a couple frosty mornings, abundant sunshine will warm us up into the lower 60s Saturday afternoon and the mid-60s on Sunday.
    — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • After decades of neglect and subsequent disrepair, it was recently restored into a luxurious one-bedroom retreat that honors its historic roots while embracing contemporary amenities like a king bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a sleek living area.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The result was a journey that allowed the guests to experience some of the planet’s last truly wild places in a way that felt adventurous, luxurious, and safe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • European leaders are rallying around Zelensky after the White House heaped pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities, even as Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue unabated.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Bringing up the rear this week, these two are coming off heaping praise from the judges for their rumba on Week 4.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The frontman said he was humbled by the action and was touched to spend time with members of the Minneapolis community who worked on the front lines during the ICE surge.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI, for example, expects to spend more than $25 billion on training alone this year.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Since then, the designs (and their price tags) have only gotten more extravagant.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Most were gleaming white and conventionally extravagant, with black privacy glass and chrome railings and layers of decks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • David Standridge’s philosophy is all about harvesting what’s plentiful and turning it into something delicious.
    — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The service Employees are beautiful, plentiful and delightful, with a high staff-to-resident ratio that keeps guests from feeling overlooked, although communication between departments could be better.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The trip, which accompanies an Aït Atta family on their seasonal migration, includes deluxe glamping-style accommodations, activities like traditional bread baking and jewelry-making, as well as a private local guide throughout.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • All five extra songs will be available in a standalone vinyl edition, as well as in a deluxe 2CD edition and across all digital formats.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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