as in luxurious
given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires
a reality show about self-indulgent twentysomethings whose sole concerns seem to be getting down and getting drunk
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Recent Examples of self-indulgent
Rescued repeatedly by Anderson’s surehandedness as an entertainer, One Battle After Another is clearly the best picture that could have been made from so self-indulgent a script.
—
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Melissa is a fountain of inspiration and information and this episode covers topics as diverse as how to cultivate discernment in our reading to why memoir is the opposite of self-indulgent.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Bargatze’s bit is predicated on the fact that most awards show speeches are self-indulgent, rambling tributes to other celebrities, which is fine.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Despite the mixed reception, the money counter was an earnest attempt to keep the show running on schedule, preventing one or two self-indulgent speakers from wrecking the running time.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
What felt different was how formerly personal (and occasionally self-indulgent) matters telescoped into broader concerns.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
As Black women face workforce trends like layoffs, burnout, and furloughs more acutely, which can impact mental and physical health, this mindset shift, ironically, underscores that soft living within a community context is a sustainable practice, not a self-indulgent one.
—Essence, 15 Aug. 2025
It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.
—Sofi Zeman
august 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Melissa is a fountain of inspiration and information and this episode covers topics as diverse as how to cultivate discernment in our reading to why memoir is the opposite of self-indulgent.
—Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Bargatze’s bit is predicated on the fact that most awards show speeches are self-indulgent, rambling tributes to other celebrities, which is fine.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Despite the mixed reception, the money counter was an earnest attempt to keep the show running on schedule, preventing one or two self-indulgent speakers from wrecking the running time.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
What felt different was how formerly personal (and occasionally self-indulgent) matters telescoped into broader concerns.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
As Black women face workforce trends like layoffs, burnout, and furloughs more acutely, which can impact mental and physical health, this mindset shift, ironically, underscores that soft living within a community context is a sustainable practice, not a self-indulgent one.
—Essence, 15 Aug. 2025
It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.
—Sofi Zeman
august 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-indulgent
Adjective
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The interplay of structure and fluidity, anchored in luxurious materials, created a collective language of empowerment — a celebration of the body, craftsmanship and emotion.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The way these humble ingredients were combined resulted in a soup that felt decadent and luxurious because of its velvety texture.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His goal was to create a sensual yet minimalist refuge, where the architecture of the space would be the focus.—
Amir Capogrossi Badreddine,
Architectural Digest,
21 Oct. 2025
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Camille Rowe reunited with Reformation for the brand’s latest collaboration with the French model and actress, introducing a new, limited-edition collection of feminine styles and sensual separates.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Like that Lena Dunham series but with a decidedly more hedonistic spin given this first footage, the series centers on a friend group navigating relationships, career, success, and party-going.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
8 Oct. 2025
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Frida’s terminally ill mom, Victoria (Montse Guallar), escapes into a hedonistic haze of morphine, imperious behavior, and pansexual dalliances.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-indulgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-indulgent. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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