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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

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
Convenient not just for politicians, but also for justices who enjoy lavish lifestyles funded by billionaires with interests before the Court! Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026 The airman and his spouse used the proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle, including a $1 million home and luxury vehicles, according to an indictment. Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
With revenues soaring, the late President Hugo Chávez, a left-wing populist, lavished cash on Venezuelan masses long excluded from the petroleum windfall. Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026 As her success grew, she became known for lavishing studio audiences with gifts. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • While regular coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, excessive coffee intake may have the opposite effect.
    Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Google is using this method to help developers optimize their apps, as no one wants their service to cause excessive battery drain.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Salvias are adored for their abundant blooms which attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The jampong was abundant with calamari, octopus and mussels, if a little overboiled for my tastes.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • If not eaten immediately, the lovely creaminess becomes a dense pile of goop with no hope of Cinderella-ing itself back to a luxurious state.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The construction gives it a medium-support feel—plush enough to feel luxurious, yet structured enough to provide meaningful reinforcement.
    Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And there is nothing worse than that heaping pile of pasta noodles sticking together in one giant mound.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The adulations heaped upon me at this point are getting nauseating.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Provost has asked managers to spend most of their time there, leaving some of them frustrated, the people said.
    Albertina Torsoli, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Due to the 2024 hot fire test incident, the German launch startup spent 18 months conducting a comprehensive technical overhaul to ensure mission success.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Noem has also been under fire for extravagant spending at the department, while placing restrictions on FEMA disaster relief funds.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
  • From quick grocery runs to soaking up sunshine on the beach, these popular slides prove that comfort and style don’t require an extravagant splurge.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The village is incredibly walkable, but parking is also plentiful in front of the town shops.
    Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • His pick-and-rolls are now procedural — and plentiful.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This Is Lorelei’s Nate Amos has announced a super deluxe version of his 2024 album Box for Buddy, Box for Star.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 9 Mar. 2026
  • This deluxe two-volume box set includes both hardcover manga volumes illustrated by Miyazaki, as well as a bonus Studio Ghibli poster.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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