Synonyms of lavish

lavish 1 of 2

adjective

ˈla-vish 

1

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

• excessive
• extravagant
• extreme
• steep
• insane
• endless
• infinite
• over-the-top
• exorbitant
• fancy
• baroque
• inordinate
• undue
• plethoric
• immoderate
• intolerable
• unconscionable
• inappropriate
• overdue
• towering
• unbearable
• devilish
• unmerciful
• stiff
• overextravagant
• overweening
• overmuch
• improper
• a bit much
• limitless
• boundless
• immeasurable
• unjustifiable
• unwarranted
• unseemly
• thick
• unrestrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reasonable
• modest
• moderate
• inadequate
• insufficient
• temperate
• deficient
• middling
• minimal
• minimum

2

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

• abundant
• plentiful
• copious
• excessive
• ample
• profuse
• riotous
• bountiful
• liberal
• extravagant
• complete
• gushing
• bounteous
• sufficient
• enough
• plenteous
• galore
• luxuriant
• adequate
• munificent
• fertile
• fecund
• unstinting
• free
• abounding
• redundant
• immoderate
• unsparing
• openhanded
• fat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poor
• meager
• sparse
• scanty
• inadequate
• scant
• spare
• insufficient
• lacking
• scarce
• incomplete
• trickling
• unsatisfactory
• wanting
• minimal
• stingy
• deficient
• dribbling
• mere
• bare

3

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

• luxurious
• deluxe
• luxury
• luxuriant
• sumptuous
• opulent
• beautiful
• palace
• palatial
• extravagant
• plush
• expensive
• silken
• Babylonian
• comfortable
• luxe
• rich
• gorgeous
• impressive
• plushy
• costly
• magnificent
• premium
• showy
• precious
• Lucullan
• grandiose
• ostentatious
• regal
• imposing
• grand
• royal
• splendid
• dear
• awesome
• pretentious
• majestic
• baronial
• monumental
• heroic
• kingly
• proud
• cozy
• awful
• stately
• noble
• homelike
• august
• homey
• snug

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• austere
• ascetic
• economical
• meager
• spartan
• no-frills
• spare
• frugal
• thrifty
• stingy

lavish

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to heap

to give readily and in large quantities

doting parents lavishing lots of attention on their children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• heap
• pour
• shower
• rain
• stream
• flood
• overwhelm
• gush
• overflow
• swamp
• inundate
• hail
• bombard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• keep
• retain
• withhold
• reserve
• hold back

2

as in to spend

to use up carelessly

a great actor who lavished his talent in lousy movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spend
• lose
• waste
• squander
• throw away
• misspend
• trifle (away)
• run through
• fritter (away)
• blow
• splurge
• dissipate
• play ducks and drakes with
• fiddle away
• indulge
• consume
• deplete
• impoverish
• exhaust
• disburse
• expend
• overspend
• overindulge
• lay out
• shoot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conserve
• protect
• preserve
• economize
• save
• skimp
• scrimp
• hoard
• lay up

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

Recent Examples of lavish

Adjective

In November 1913, Los Angeles rejoiced to welcome a lavish, steady [and more or less purloined] flow of water. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Ralph Lauren showed a collection that spoke to the spectrum of his influence on American design, from preppy suits to lavish evening gowns. — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

Its following includes Emmy voters, who lavished the series with 19 nominations, the most of any new series this year. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Critics lavished praise on the film, so much so that chatter about potential Oscar attention kicked up in Hollywood. — Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026