Definition of lavishnext
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lavish

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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
Among the strategies for this rollout have been a lavish Comic-Con panel, as well as an English dub of the movie, which was the version shown to press prior to the review embargo. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026 The series pairs its lavish costumes and sets with visual effects to build its fantasy world, including Queen, a mysterious bird with whom Navier forms a bond. — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
When Russians discovered karaoke, thousands of venues sprang up, from cheap sushi joints to lavish establishments where an orchestra and backup singers accompanied anyone willing to step onto the stage and, for a few minutes, feel like a star. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026 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 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
  • That is because magmatic gases like hydrogen chloride would have been more abundant in the past, creating a thicker Martian atmosphere and warmer climate.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Lithium grabs the spotlight, but cheap and abundant sodium has long held the key to large-scale energy storage.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Rebecca Udall's brand has caught our attention because of the bedding's delicate scalloped edges, ornate embroidery, and elegant designs that make sleep feel a little more luxurious.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • There might be other luxurious heritage hotels set on the banks of the Bosphorus, but none of them have a view that can compete with The Peninsula's.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Unreleased | Getty Images A spate of bomb threats against passenger flights has forced diversions, emergency landings and military escorts across European airspace this week, stoking fear among passengers and heaping pressure on airlines.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • The feature can analyze account balances, transactions, spending patterns and upcoming payments, helping users understand their finances without manually checking multiple banking apps.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In reality, 19 was a stressful and lonely time, spent mostly in the libraries of my frigid college town or fighting with my boyfriend in the dining hall.
    — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Prosecutors said Sherman, from September 2015 through May 2025, stole nearly $18 million from her employer to pay off her extravagant credit card expenses.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Our children were far too excited to sleep, so joined us for extravagant hot chocolates instead.
    — Fergus Scholes, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • From baskets to desk organizers, the options are plentiful, and they’re priced right.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The café is takeout only with plentiful seating indoors and theoretically outdoors.
    — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Rooms start at the deluxe category, which are still plenty sizable with a big balcony, both a shower and a bathtub, and a small seating area.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Thankfully safe and sound after an October tour bus fire, Muna are bouncing back with a deluxe edition of their May album Dancing on the Wall.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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