indulge

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb indulge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of indulge are baby, humor, mollycoddle, pamper, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

Where would baby be a reasonable alternative to indulge?

While in some cases nearly identical to indulge, baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

When could humor be used to replace indulge?

The words humor and indulge can be used in similar contexts, but humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

When would mollycoddle be a good substitute for indulge?

While the synonyms mollycoddle and indulge are close in meaning, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

When is it sensible to use pamper instead of indulge?

The words pamper and indulge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When can spoil be used instead of indulge?

In some situations, the words spoil and indulge are roughly equivalent. However, spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

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 indulge Their admirably robust menu indulges coastal cravings via seasonal oysters and Gulf shrimp while appeasing land lovers with steakhouse favorites and handmade pastas. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 May 2025 This multicultural circus indulges the racial stereotyping that should be Hwang’s subject. Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025 Unlike indulging for a week on regular vacations, the cruise's generous food options – though often delicious – can be a bit overwhelming for some passengers after a few months. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 19 May 2025 Each day includes a high option for those who want to indulge on an expensive hotel or meal, and a low option for budget-friendly alternatives. John Wogan, New York Times, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for indulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulge
Verb
  • The recent evolution of Mexican food in New York has been gratifying, not so much because of deviation from the classics but by the refining of them and giving them a modern twist in terms of color, presentation and better ingredients.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Now, Libby is gratified to see the DOJ intervene and take legal action against the state.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Pickard’s only goal surrendered was the one from Sam Reinhart that tied Game 4 with 19.5 seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • Like any other member of the public, Ye was required to take off his belt, empty his pockets, and surrender his electronic devices before going through a metal detector.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Politics is a service business and Trump and his Capitol Hill allies are aiming to please the customer.
    David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025
  • Ralph Fiennes’s concierge is the director’s natural surrogate, the behind-the-scenes guy who tends to every detail of the hotel’s operation while going to extraordinary lengths to please the guests, even if that means bedding octogenarians.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • The number of remote job postings has declined, but this shift shouldn’t be seen as a signal to abandon what many knowledge workers value most.
    Duane Tursi, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Based on the true story of Annie Silva Pais, daughter of Portugal’s secret police chief, who abandoned her life in 1965 to join the Cuban Revolution.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Although less worldly than Welles, Anderson has a career that’s better financed, if not pampered, and that remains quintessentially American.
    Armond White, National Review, 30 May 2025
  • The attached Milk + Honey spa provides convenient pampering after travel, with a menu that has everything from an express facial and traditional massages to chemical peels and hair treatments.
    Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • But Universal’s performers last weekend showed their improv skills by humoring fans while keeping the story moving.
    Robert Niles, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Service animals perform vital jobs, but humoring selfish pet owners is not one of them.
    Philip Galanes, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Focusing on a few key essentials is enough to satisfy Google and get most websites some quick SEO wins.
    Nick Zviadadze, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • While a game like No Man's Sky, with its procedural generation and ambition, might be more stunning, there's something uniquely charming and satisfying about the simplicity of Astroneer.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulge. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on indulge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!