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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
The backstory Kempinski is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, founded in 1897, and is globally known for its fantastic service and lavish accommodations. Emily Adler, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026 Michael Abatti’s family has roots in California’s Imperial Valley dating back decades, and the couple lived a lavish lifestyle with multiple properties and international vacations, Kerri Ann Abatti said in divorce filings. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
Regardless of the astronomical price a bottle may fetch or the attention lavished upon it by doting admirers, wine is, at its essence, an agricultural product, one whose economic value in the United States is $323 billion. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2025 Trump also lavished the Saudi ruler this week with some of Washington's highest honors for a foreign dignitary, deepening the business and military relationship between the two nations. Stephen Groves, Arkansas Online, 22 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But Walpole’s excitement was curbed when they were flagged for excessive celebration.
    Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Because the dopants are earth-abundant, the synthesis uses conventional solid-state processing, and no inert atmosphere is required, the approach aligns well with existing gigafactory infrastructure.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • High ceilings in primary living areas will add a sense of space, as will numerous generously sized windows that provide abundant natural light.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Cotton is the gold standard for a luxurious feel—each item in our edit is either pure cotton or a soft blend—and from there, the rest is pretty much down to style preference.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Bright red polka dots and a ballet-slipper pink cat-eye base strike the perfect balance between playful and luxurious-looking.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the mixture in the center of a wrapper.
    Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Dec. 2025
  • The recipe yielded four heaping servings that would honestly go a lot further at a potluck.
    Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Joabe Barbosa, Matthew Plese and Omar Yousaf spent the day riding the entire MARTA rail system in an attempt to complete the full route in roughly three hours.
    Kaley Fedko, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Visitors can spend their entire trip switching off between the two, but be sure to take some time to explore the rocky cove beaches called calas that have made Costa Blanca famous.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The boom in production costs has been blamed on high talent prices, stemming from extravagant spending by big streamers in recent years.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Not every Tesla investor was on board with the extravagant deal.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • One has a drier environment with plentiful airflow, while the other has a humid climate.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Travel headaches were plentiful throughout the two-day ordeal, with luggage being separated from its owners as flights across the country trickled to a stop.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In October, Gossett seized on Westward‘s momentum with a deluxe version featuring three additional tracks.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2025
  • The Rooms Accommodations range from deluxe rooms and suites to three- and four-bedroom private villas, grouped throughout the resort’s 568 acres.
    Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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