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
All of this self-indulgent whining, by the way, is going on while Pippa is supposed to be supporting Bree at her photography exhibit.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
But there’s nothing slack, or lazy, or subjective, or self-indulgent, about the elaborate verse-craft of those bards.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Some lauded Coppola for his ambition and refusal to play it safe, but the praise was exceeded by criticism, with the movie being called incoherent and self-indulgent.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
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
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
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
But there’s nothing slack, or lazy, or subjective, or self-indulgent, about the elaborate verse-craft of those bards.
—Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025
Some lauded Coppola for his ambition and refusal to play it safe, but the praise was exceeded by criticism, with the movie being called incoherent and self-indulgent.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
The Discovery Princess’ 1,830 staterooms include two luxurious sky suites and hundreds of balcony rooms and mini-suites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Best Mid Size 3-Row SUV Hyundai Palisade Redesigned for 2026, the even more modern and luxurious Hyundai Palisade was hands-down our judges favorite.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Writer-director Nia DaCosta makes one of 19th-century playwright Henrik Ibsen's most beloved plays, Hedda Gabler, fully urgent and relevant for a modern audience with this witty, sensual drama.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The sensual rhythm carries emotional lyrics about ending a relationship and not being able to let go.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The colorful artworks largely depict the sensual hedonistic lifestyles of city dwellers including merchants, courtesans and kabuki actors.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
More information regarding Ciara and Oliver’s hedonistic, erotic relationship and their respective pasts is revealed.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-indulgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-indulgent. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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