indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s 
1
a
: the act of indulging in something
especially
: self-indulgence
b
: something indulged in
walk off gastronomic indulgences—
Barbara L. Michaels
Barbara L. Michaels2
a
: an indulgent act
b
: an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor
4
: remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)
Examples of indulgence in a Sentence
She lived a life of selfish indulgence.
his indulgence in forbidden pleasures
She found that she couldn't afford the indulgences she had once enjoyed.
For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Good food is my only indulgence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fat Tuesday is a day of indulgence that marks the end of Carnival.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
The theses reflected Luther’s belief that the pope and the Catholic Church were preying on the poor by selling them indulgences, taking their money for a false promise that their sins would be forgiven.
—Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
The one indulgence he’s permitted are phone calls, in 20-minute increments, every few days.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
Release Date Confirmed: Your Schedule For The Newest iPhone
Experiential travel: a search for meaning over indulgence
Nadine Friedli is General Manager of the 56-room Alpina Gstaad.
—Lysanne Currie, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
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Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
The theses reflected Luther’s belief that the pope and the Catholic Church were preying on the poor by selling them indulgences, taking their money for a false promise that their sins would be forgiven.
—Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
The one indulgence he’s permitted are phone calls, in 20-minute increments, every few days.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
Release Date Confirmed: Your Schedule For The Newest iPhone
Experiential travel: a search for meaning over indulgence
Nadine Friedli is General Manager of the 56-room Alpina Gstaad.
—Lysanne Currie, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulgence
Articles Related to indulgence
Cite this Entry
“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgence. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s
1
: the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent
2
: an indulgent act
3
: something indulged in
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