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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
Her performance earned lavish praise from the show’s four judges. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025 The athlete was in New York City to support friend Kim Kardashian at a lavish dinner celebrating the launch of NikeSKIMS. Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
An ancillary of the brand’s best-selling, ambery-woody eau, each aluminum tube contains a quick-absorbing lotion that lavishes skin with moisture, keeping hands feeling comfortable and cuticles softened with its moisturizing blend of avocado oil, shea butter, plus green tea and chamomile extracts. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 Before long, Kirk became a fixture on cable news, embracing cultural battles and lavishing praise on the president — attention that Trump and his son reciprocated by making frequent appearances at Turning Point events. Gabe Whisnant anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • Just don't glaze because that's heaping someone with excessive and insincere praise.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Typically, when there is an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, Tennessee saw excessive rain in spring and early summer with dry coditions in late summer, the agency said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When an electrical current is applied, lithium ions pass through the barrier while other abundant elements—such as sodium, calcium and magnesium—are left behind.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The majority of it is fructose (a sugar most abundant in many fruits), followed by glucose, with lesser amounts of sucrose and other sugars.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The seven-piece Horsebit Colleciton includes five bottoms and two jackets that are decorated with luxurious hardware for a polished edge.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Where would his luxurious effort last night rank in terms of another award that does not exist, namely the greatest-ever assist in the Champions League?
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Before piling on Franklin and Allar, let’s heap some praise on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and his coach, Dan Lanning, following their thrilling 30-24 double-overtime road win.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Only a heaping tablespoon—or two, or three, depending on your batch size and preference—makes all the difference, adding both flavor and creaminess.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That year, the board hired Pat Gelsinger, an engineer who had spent 30 years at Intel before leaving it for other companies and eventually running VMware.
    Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Elordi spent up to 10 hours per session in the makeup chair and worked 18-hour days in full prosthetics.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Huppert delivers a commanding performance as Marianne Farrère, a wealthy heiress whose extravagant gifts to a much younger artist ignite public outrage.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Okane is desperate at the prospect of losing both her true love and her one defender, and her desperation gives rise to extravagant and harrowing drama.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Toasts were drunk, although notably with orange juice given President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on excessive official consumption at the sort of functions that were once lubricated with plentiful bai jiu spirit.
    Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • What’s more, zinc is plentiful, has a low environmental impact, and contributes to the battery’s high volumetric capacity.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Frozen yogurt faithfuls can shop the deluxe version of this appliance to make this treat and even more desserts.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Moreover, Breach was available across 15+ vinyl variants, three deluxe CDs and various streaming platforms, giving fans ample opportunity to collect different versions of the record, some of which house bonus tracks or alternative cover art.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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