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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 lavish state apartments were added in the early 19th century. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 Blending lavish production values, emotional storytelling and a strong female ensemble, the series has fuelled strong word of mouth both domestically and internationally. Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Trump lavished praise on the British royal family during a white-tie dinner last night, but today meets with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and, later, the UK press. semafor.com, 19 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
  • On Sunday, a 15% chance of flash flooding from excessive rainfall exists along the coast from Ocean City, Maryland to Cape Cod.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The problem arises when excessive dust, dirt, and hair accumulate around the coils, preventing them from performing their job adequately.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The five elements still exempt from China’s controls are largely light rare earths, which are more abundant, easier to mine and refine, and less strategically constrained than their heavier counterparts.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • With the global population expected to peak this century before heading into decline, the arrival of robots might allow the world economy to continue growing even as human labor becomes less abundant.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Hudson Valley has attracted New York City’s elite since the Gilded Age, offering up large and luxurious retreats amid breathtaking natural beauty.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The evening kicked off at Barlume in Manhattan with a luxurious dinner.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Murphy heaped on the praise for several Dodgers players while continuously suggesting that his own team was the underdog for the series.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Simply unscrew the base and fill with water, then heap the coffee into the filter basket and screw on the top.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With wine pairings, expect to spend around €120 for two people.
    Emilio Parra Doiztua, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Fortune’s series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet even this make-do meal felt extravagant.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Condon created his newest adaptation by blending the novel's grittiness and its extravagant Broadway adaptation, effectively taking audiences on a journey between reality and fantasy.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The northern Appalachians will have the inverse, a mild start that turns cool, but keep the plentiful sun.
    James Powel, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Browse the galleries at Tlaquepaque Sedona has a thriving arts community with plentiful galleries, and many of them can be found at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The prize is a 1-night stay in a deluxe suite at The Surrey Hotel during the months of October 2025-March 2026 and a complimentary 60-minute custom facial spa treatment.
    Vogue, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Untold Chapter will be released on black vinyl as well as digitally, as well as a deluxe 2-CD edition with the original album and the new EP, as well as a 20-page booklet of lyrics and illustrations; fans can pre-order the black vinyl here.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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