LAVISH Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lavish' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lavish are exuberant , lush , luxuriant , prodigal , and profuse . While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. // a lavish party

Q: When might 'exuberant' be a better fit than 'lavish'?

The words exuberant and lavish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. // an exuberant imagination

Q: In what contexts can 'lush' take the place of 'lavish'?

In some situations, the words lush and lavish are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. // a lush green lawn

Q: When is it sensible to use 'luxuriant' instead of 'lavish'?

Although the words luxuriant and lavish have much in common, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. // a luxuriant beard

Q: When is 'prodigal' a more appropriate choice than 'lavish'?

The synonyms prodigal and lavish are sometimes interchangeable, but prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. // prodigal spending

Q: When would 'profuse' be a good substitute for 'lavish'?

The meanings of profuse and lavish largely overlap; however, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. // profuse apologies

lavish 1 of 2

adjective

ˈla-vish

Definition of lavish

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount this lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abundant

pouring forth in great amounts the lavish praise that the novel was receiving had some wondering if it could ever live up to readers' expectations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in luxurious

showing obvious signs of wealth and comfort the lavish apartment even boasted a marble bathroom with gold-plated fixtures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lavish

2 of 2

verb

as in to heap

to give readily and in large quantities doting parents lavishing lots of attention on their children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spend

to use up carelessly a great actor who lavished his talent in lousy movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lavish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lavish are exuberant, lush, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When might exuberant be a better fit than lavish?

The words exuberant and lavish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

In what contexts can lush take the place of lavish?

In some situations, the words lush and lavish are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lavish?

Although the words luxuriant and lavish have much in common, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When is prodigal a more appropriate choice than lavish?

The synonyms prodigal and lavish are sometimes interchangeable, but prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When would profuse be a good substitute for lavish?

The meanings of profuse and lavish largely overlap; however, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

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 lavish

Adjective

Perhaps the most lavish example of innovation in the architecture of culture is Jean Nouvel’s new Fondation Cartier in Paris, a museum that promises to reinvent itself completely for every show. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026 Pairing gravel with lavish furnishings, rather than solely sticking to rustic aesthetics, will make your patio stand out. — Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026

Verb

In their Canon 18x50 IS binoculars review, our expert Jason Parnell-Brookes awarded them four stars, lavishing praise on their optics, image stabilization, ease of use and more. — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 15 June 2026 Likewise, Wong’s bricks are beyond compare in the attention lavished on each individual building block. — Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lavish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish

Adjective

However, Leo’s shadow can show up as a mix of defensiveness, entitlement or an excessive attachment to validation.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
That said, a recent Europe-wide survey by EU-OSHA reveals that concerns about excessive heat are becoming increasingly universal, with one in five workers reporting unhealthy exposure to extreme temperatures and around one in eight to intense sun.

— Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Along the Adriatic coast, once abundant with mussels, nearly all have died off because of the sea temperatures that at times have exceeded 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Basic necessities—dairy, rice, staples where supply is abundant and quality reliable—have become a hunt for the best price.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

The backstory Opened in 2021, La Casa de la Playa was conceived as the most intimate and luxurious expression of the Grupo Xcaret brand.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Staterooms are boutique-hotel luxurious, featuring king beds and private balconies for sunrise coffees.

— Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of luxurious

Verb

Saldaña, Kidman, and the rest of the team milled about a romantic and moody bar as servers circulated with plates heaped with Sarti spritzes and caviar.

— Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
The president is heaping demands on Thune as the Senate GOP looks to head home for August and try to shore up its increasingly fragile majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of heap

Verb

Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on bestseller lists and has been translated into 40 languages, and Smarter Faster Better, also a bestseller.

— Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
Syeda Sultana, chief operating officer at the digital marketing platform Vettted, spent a decade managing a global sustainability program.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of spend

Adjective

The average song would be a couple of minutes, and four would seem like an extravagant jam.

— Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
Meteorite from Sebastián Múnera follows two young women on a journey through an extravagant amusement park built on the estate of the late drug lord Pablo Escobar.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026

Definition of extravagant

Adjective

The transcontinental railroad would help secure California and its plentiful resources for the Union while also aligning with the country’s embrace of Manifest Destiny — the idea that the United States had a right to grow westward.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
The Denali Ultimate trim is the best trim to choose in terms of plentiful standard features and premium materials.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of plentiful

Adjective

The trio of high-rise towers was intended to house luxury condominiums, apartments, a five-star Park Hyatt hotel and an indoor mall that would include deluxe shops and restaurants.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Like the Fondation Cartier, PAC and the Shed package their radicalism in deluxe architectural confections.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

Definition of deluxe

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“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lavish

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verb

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