LAVISH Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

lavish 1 of 2

adjective

ˈla-vish

Definition of lavish

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount this lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abundant

pouring forth in great amounts the lavish praise that the novel was receiving had some wondering if it could ever live up to readers' expectations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in luxurious

showing obvious signs of wealth and comfort the lavish apartment even boasted a marble bathroom with gold-plated fixtures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lavish

2 of 2

verb

as in to heap

to give readily and in large quantities doting parents lavishing lots of attention on their children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spend

to use up carelessly a great actor who lavished his talent in lousy movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 deep crimson drapes, white tablecloths, and understated gold accents at T’ang evoke a lavish Chinese mansion. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026 As a whole, the ballet’s arc can feel unfocussed, arhythmic—some parts overstuffed with action, others failing to fill with expressive movement Joby Talbot’s lavish score. — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 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

During their interviews, Haddock said the researchers found a lack of recognition by firefighters that their consumption levels were considered excessive.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Inland, southern San Bernardino County faces at least a 40% chance of excessive rain that could result in flash flooding through Saturday night, said Julie Phillipson, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Though local talent is abundant, there are few resources to develop homegrown IP.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
By ditching expensive cobalt and nickel for cheap, abundant iron, automakers lower costs while creating a battery that is safer and less prone to fire.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

After decades of neglect and subsequent disrepair, it was recently restored into a luxurious one-bedroom retreat that honors its historic roots while embracing contemporary amenities like a king bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a sleek living area.

— Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
The result was a journey that allowed the guests to experience some of the planet’s last truly wild places in a way that felt adventurous, luxurious, and safe.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of luxurious

Verb

European leaders are rallying around Zelensky after the White House heaped pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities, even as Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue unabated.

— Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Bringing up the rear this week, these two are coming off heaping praise from the judges for their rumba on Week 4.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of heap

Verb

The frontman said he was humbled by the action and was touched to spend time with members of the Minneapolis community who worked on the front lines during the ICE surge.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
OpenAI, for example, expects to spend more than $25 billion on training alone this year.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of spend

Adjective

Like most of the country’s entries over the past decade, this blockbuster epic — a summer box office hit at home — makes for an extravagant display of the strength of the nation’s commercial film industry.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Noem was also under fire for extravagant spending at the department, while placing restrictions on FEMA disaster relief funds.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of extravagant

Adjective

Elsewhere in the store, staff were busy stocking shelves, and most products were in plentiful supply.

— JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Fraser is not alone in picking his second right away; Alex makes Matt his lead deckhand, given his plentiful experience.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of plentiful

Adjective

The trip, which accompanies an Aït Atta family on their seasonal migration, includes deluxe glamping-style accommodations, activities like traditional bread baking and jewelry-making, as well as a private local guide throughout.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 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

Definition of deluxe

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“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lavish

adjective

verb

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