indulgent

adjective

in·​dul·​gent in-ˈdəl-jənt How to pronounce indulgent (audio)
Synonyms of indulgent
1
: willing to allow excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration : indulging or characterized by indulgence
indulgent grandparents
2
: done or enjoyed as a special treat or pleasure
indulgent desserts
indulgently adverb

Examples of indulgent in a Sentence

He gave the child an indulgent smile. she was perhaps a bit too indulgent with her children, who always seemed to get away with everything
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The stellar menu offers modern takes on indulgent dishes like ossobucco (with wheat rusk, truffle, and smoked celery-root cream), and sea bass (with avgolemono sauce, cod croquettes, and seaweed). Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026 Caramel swirl, mint chip, or cookie dough all make indulgent fillings that work well with the chocolate ganache and Oreo cookie crust. Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 Cross-country passengers have multiple off-train experiences to choose from as part of their fare, including wine tastings, a behind-the-scenes tour of a local brewery, and indulgent dinners in the Barossa Valley. Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026 Narcissism isn't just about being indulgent or centered on yourself. Gregory Stebbins, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for indulgent

Word History

Etymology

Latin indulgent-, indulgens, present participle of indulgēre

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indulgent was in 1509

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indulgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgent. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

indulgent

adjective
in·​dul·​gent in-ˈdəl-jənt How to pronounce indulgent (audio)
: indulging or showing indulgence : lenient
an indulgent parent
indulgently adverb

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