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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
Compared to the other restaurants of the Aman group, Arva is open to both hotel and outside guests, who can access and dine in one of the sumptuous halls of the lavish 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli housing Aman Venice. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025 Pinewood’s lavish facilities were far from the only benefit for Disney. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Trump has previously lavished praise on Putin while scorning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 15 July 2025 In a year where the Legislature lavished corporations with more than a billion dollars in tax cuts, and the Legislature funneled so much into reserves, this budget is a shameful blow at those who suffer in the shadows. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • A level 2 of 4 threat for excessive rainfall is in place for parts of eastern New Mexico and western Texas due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible in the heaviest storms.
    Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The government's initial response, which blamed opposition factions rather than acknowledging excessive force, further inflamed tensions.
    Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sashimi Thanks to the abundant waters, even humble izakayas serve world-class slices.
    Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Pollen is abundant, Cho adds—a single floret of the common sunflower, for instance, produces 25,000 to 67,000 grains every summer.
    Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the case of the wife in the viral TikTok video, the Maldives—often cited among the world's most luxurious honeymoon destinations—was a total surprise.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Besides, what feels more luxurious than slipping into a five-star hotel robe and slippers?
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fried chicken, biscuits, cinnamon apples, corn pudding, and country ham all arrive in heaping bowls meant to be passed around.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The incident heaped pressure on Merkel and her migration policies.
    Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ford dropped it from the Explorer’s retail lineup, but continues to offer it in police vehicles, which benefit from its ability to power AC and other accessories without running the engine when parked, as patrol vehicles often spend lots of time doing.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • California’s legal fight to get those funds back–which hadn’t been spent–will take months if not years to resolve.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The spread is a rare offering in the Gopher State, where such extravagant homes don’t hit the market all that often.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Plumier told IndyStar that bullfrogs and green frogs are so plentiful and quick to breed that frog hunting hasn’t proven harmful to their populations in Indiana.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
  • While the water-ice leftovers may be more plentiful, nitrogen ice shines more brightly.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The summer of 2025 was essentially a deluxe version of 2022.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • As the drinks flow during a gathering of faculty and PhD students at their deluxe digs, Alma’s doting husband Frederick (Michael Stuhlbarg), another shrink, teasingly asks what happens if one of them gets tenure and the other doesn’t.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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