1
as in pleases
to give in to (a desire)
the grandparents indulged the child's wishes to an extent that they never did with their own children
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surrenders
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly
conventioneers who were obviously eager to indulge themselves in all of the vices that Las Vegas might offer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spoils
to treat with great or excessive care
you indulge those grandkids in ways you never did with your own kids
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Recent Examples of indulges
Teleportation indulges me due to time efficiency, being able to travel anywhere without cost, and just the experience of being anywhere as soon as someone needs me.
—
Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 7 Apr. 2026
Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing, skywatching or playing games, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, Fennell indulges a familiar impulse to shock, or at least to jolt us awake.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Raimi indulges Send Help’s gore and gross-out moments with the zest of someone returning to his cult-favorite roots.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Evolution occasionally indulges us with organisms that seem too cool or too scary to be true, like something out of a science fiction film.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
As for Princess Lilibet, 4, her mother indulges one of her current interests.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
The falling soufflé as a symbol of the crumbling hotel is the kind of heavy-handed touch Solnicki rarely indulges.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 7 Apr. 2026
Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing, skywatching or playing games, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, Fennell indulges a familiar impulse to shock, or at least to jolt us awake.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Raimi indulges Send Help’s gore and gross-out moments with the zest of someone returning to his cult-favorite roots.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Evolution occasionally indulges us with organisms that seem too cool or too scary to be true, like something out of a science fiction film.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
As for Princess Lilibet, 4, her mother indulges one of her current interests.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
The falling soufflé as a symbol of the crumbling hotel is the kind of heavy-handed touch Solnicki rarely indulges.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulges
Verb
-
For something more substantial, Ramsey’s pleases both vegetarians and meat eaters with options such as BBQ brisket sandwich with homemade onion straws or Zucchini Noodle Thai Bowl.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Planning a summer trip that pleases curious kids, energetic teens and grandparents who want a comfortable pace?—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alex Murdaugh surrenders Murdaugh turned himself in at the Hampton County Detention Center.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Stray animals or surrenders will no longer be accepted at police stations in most cases, and neighborhood rescues are no longer an option for officers.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
This post spoils the Off Campus book series.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
Although their relationship begins as a love story, the book brings home the profits of Jacob’s earlier brutality—fate catches up to him, and everything that is love and passion sort of spoils into wrath and obsession.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 May 2026
Verb
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By virtue of its sheer scale, everything that gratifies us about submarine cables feels amplified a hundredfold in 2Africa; the same goes for everything that worries us.—
Samanth Subramanian,
The Dial,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Everyone abandons him, except the doctors and their machines.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
When a security system declines a valid purchase, the customer often abandons the cart and moves to a competitor.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Her father — struggling with poverty and the grief over his wife's death — wants to shoot it, but Jessica secretly nurses the animal back to health, bringing her closer to her father in the process.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
-
With symphonic works, chamber delights, and operatic thrills on the calendar, here are three of the highlights.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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When the weather gets warm, nothing satisfies quite like cold noodles in iced broth.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
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Theme Nights White nights have become common at sea, and this mini dress satisfies the dress code for both more casual and elegant ships.—
Rebecca Shinners,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Indulges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulges. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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