Definition of lavishnext
1
2
3

lavish

2 of 2

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 two were married on November 14, 1973, in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026 After appearing on and off the market several times over the last 12 years, the lavish estate was last publically listed earlier this year at the same price. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 29 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
  • The lack of transparency in the incentives’ application process, alongside excessive bureaucracy and uncertainty, remain issues, although Japanese industry folk have similar complaints about applying for export support.
    — Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The Wolf of Wall Street, the Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie movie about Belfort’s wild and excessive life as a New York stockbroker and boiler room boss, was released through Paramount Pictures.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Ask for coconut sorbet, made from the abundant on-property supply.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • It's been more than a decade since tech companies first came to Ohio, drawn by the state's inexpensive and abundant land, its energy infrastructure and its generous tax breaks.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Made with Malabar black pepper imported directly from India, beef jus, cream and lots of cognac, the luxurious sauce is drizzled over a 12-ounce prime striploin.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • My 50-minute massage was enhanced by a collagen face mask with pumpkin extract—a new one to me, but a welcome add-on that felt super luxurious.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has blamed high global fuel prices on Ukraine, and heaped pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky to halt strikes on Russian refineries even as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine’s towns, cities, and energy infrastructure.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The universal glee of getting tacos (Silvia Razgova) Picture the moment when a taquero hands you a warm paper plate heaping with warm tortillas and meats on a street in Los Angeles.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • His campaign spent about $1 million to air two versions of the same ad, lower than the $4 million amount that was previously reported.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Compared to Geese, who spent years touring and releasing records before finally striking gold, Heathers has taken the sort of industry fast-track that makes conspiracy theorists start rolling out their corkboards and thumbtacks.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But a new novel by Lucy Foley is setting Poirot aside and blowing the dust off the mild-mannered Marple by whisking her away to an extravagant Swiss Alps adventure.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The ultimate reward isn’t retiring on a beach or buying something extravagant.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Spain, which has been a hub for such sites thanks to its relatively plentiful renewable power, this week eased renewable power-procurement requirements for new data centers following an industry backlash.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • As this is a Lynch film, explaining the rest of the plot would be a pointless exercise, but expect plentiful violence, stylish surrealism, and a road movie that’ll shock and delight in equal measure.
    — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The deluxe version, the Paper Pro ($629), has a big screen and can be expanded with a keyboard.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
  • My deluxe room on the second floor had high ceilings and views of the Swiss Institute across the street.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster