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
Love posed online as a player for the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, posting videos of himself running drills with a 49ers helmet, driving in expensive sports cars, and living a lavish lifestyle on social media. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026 Still, there are ways to make any room look and feel lavish without spending your entire paycheck. — Megan McCarty, The Spruce, 12 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
  • According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 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
  • Zook Cabins The bathroom, by contrast, is comparatively luxurious.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Nike has released countless premium renditions of its beloved Air Max 95 sneaker over its three decades-plus on the market, but few are as luxurious as the aptly named Air Max 95 Lux.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The Ukrainian leader has pleaded with Washington to supply more Patriot air-defense ammunition to stop the missiles, and to heap more sanctions on Russia to pressure Moscow to pursue peace.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Ukrainian leader has pleaded with Washington to supply more Patriot air defense ammunition to stop the ballistic missiles, and to heap more sanctions on Russia to pressure Moscow to pursue peace.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Successful candidates will then be invited to spend a day at the bank’s offices where they are tested on banking regulation, their use of AI, and their ability to build calculations.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Finnish Government has granted Posiva Oy an operating license for the world’s first permanent underground repository for spent nuclear fuel.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But a new novel by Lucy Foley is setting Poirot aside and blowing the dust off the mild-mannered Marple by whisking her away to an extravagant Swiss Alps adventure.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The ultimate reward isn’t retiring on a beach or buying something extravagant.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 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
  • My deluxe room on the second floor had high ceilings and views of the Swiss Institute across the street.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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