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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
In this final phase, with international guests present, lavish dinners were orchestrated nightly, which was itself a feat, considering there were few good restaurants in Petaluma at the time. Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025 Like his London town house, specific details of this property are few and far between, but given the star’s penchant for lavish design, its interiors are presumably just as statement-making as his other homes. Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Kirk also lavished praise on Vance’s debating skills. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025 Trump lavished praise upon his hosts during the first presidential visit to Windsor Castle. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 17 Sep. 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
  • Quinnen Williams has only known the New York Jets since he was drafted third overall in 2019, which means winning hasn’t been abundant in his NFL career.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The use of abundant metals like nickel instead of lithium or cobalt could further reduce costs.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Both favor a quietly luxurious wardrobe heavy on tasteful neutrals and cocoon-like outerwear.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Over time, his content became more professional and his trips more luxurious.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Murphy has produced countless TV shows that have been heaped with acclaim, ratings and awards and Kardashian is a reality show star turned businesswoman and billionaire, with millions of followers and fans hooked to her every move.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • This isn’t the first time Winkler has heaped attention on Kelce.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Han says the funds raised through the Hong Kong listing will help the robotaxi firm continue to spend on R&D and deployment.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Carter tells Rolling Stone the band approached him about joining the upcoming lineup in late September and have spent the time since working through booking and logistics.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
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
  • The tree features plentiful branches and hundreds of needle tips that resemble real Christmas tree foliage.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The widespread adoption of AI in the UAE — which leads the world with roughly 60% of the working-age population using the technology monthly — combined with plentiful, inexpensive electricity makes the Emirates an attractive location for building data centers, according to Smith.
    Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Many Radiohead fans were a little disappointed when the 30th anniversary of The Bends came and went this past March without a deluxe reissue or any sort of acknowledgement.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
  • But shortly after, Minaj threw barbs as SZA’s career, criticizing her decision to re-release her 2022 album SOS as the deluxe version Lana last year.
    Rachel DeSantis, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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