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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
Meanwhile, those same institutions hand out coaching contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, employ armies of analysts and support staff, build lavish facilities and pay enormous buyouts to coaches who fail. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026 The shipyard’s 700 Sky, the latest example of the highly successful 73-foot model—and the ninth to be built by the Polish yard—features a new interior more commonly found on larger, more lavish vessels. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
Verb
Friends have spent weeks lavishing praise on the man and his work. ABC News, 8 May 2026 On a beachfront centered between Da Nang and Hoi An, the TIA Wellness Resort is a retreat that combines inspiring wellness with lavishing its guests with the luxury of a premium Vietnamese resort. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • The federal government's warning about the dangers of excessive screen time is sending shockwaves through households and classrooms alike, drawing comparisons to public health crises of the past.
    La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • Social media users have documented taking excessive amounts of diphenhydramine in an attempt to overcome the medication's drowsy effects and experience a euphoric feeling.
    Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Nottingham team engineered their materials entirely from earth-abundant, inexpensive elements.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
  • As information becomes faster, cheaper and more abundant, the ability to properly filter that information becomes exponentially more important.
    Kevin Brady, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • All game was fair game, and eating wild things was both luxurious and banal—throughout the country the consumption of wild animals was entirely typical.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • The spa Tucked away from the hotel’s main areas is the luxurious Lanesborough Club & Spa, an urban oasis widely recognized as one of the city's most exclusive wellness addresses.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Sometimes recruiters try to sell players, heaping praise on the targets and promising playing time.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 1 June 2026
  • Pete Davidson is heaping praise on ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian for her recent TV and film roles.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • But despite securing a conviction, investigators spent decades trying to determine the identity of the teenage victim.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
  • Specifically, Hanold noted that $152 million spent by Permian equates to almost one quarter of drilling, based on this year's pace.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 7 June 2026
Adjective
  • Rather than trying to gulp the slimy thing down, Wilkinson went into the kitchen and prepared an extravagant breakfast for himself, complete with Dr Pepper to wash it down.
    Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 12 June 2026
  • Often referred to as the Versailles Townhouse, the property is among the Upper East Side‘s most extravagant private residences.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Castine, Maine Pristine sandy beaches like Wadsworth Cove might be scarce in this small waterfront village, but Castine makes up for it with a rich seafaring history and plentiful water activities.
    Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026
  • Ergonomics are excellent, storage for small items is abundant, and charging ports are plentiful throughout the cabin.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • Although Kirby Smart and mascot Hairy Dawg made the rather crowded deluxe cover of the college football game in 2026, no Georgia or Georgia Tech player has ever received such an honor.
    Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 3 June 2026
  • Last year’s game featured the receiving duo of Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Alabama’s Ryan Williams on the standard cover, along with a host of players and coaches on the deluxe cover.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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