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 next

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

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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

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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

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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

Vreeland has been credited with moving the gala to the Met, where guests could mingle among the museum's exhibits, and for turning the annual party -- previously an industry event for fashion insiders and socialites -- into a lavish affair full of celebrity guests and other prominent figures. —

Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 1 May 2026 Even amid the lavish surroundings—with red leather chairs, white tablecloths, and at times, live piano music—service is less formal, more approachable, and the pricing is notably accessible for a five-star hotel. —

Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

The father of three and owner of crop underwriting firm Noem Insurance lavished some $25,000 on these shapely ladies over the course of their relationship, the Mail reported. —

Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026 Members of an administration demanding that Cuba democratize have welcomed Vladimir Putin onto American soil and lavished praise on Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. —

Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lavish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish

Adjective

The authors argued that the typical American diet contained excessive calories and fat and lacked sufficient amounts of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
This development enables high-performance batteries to function without the bulky pressurization hardware that often adds excessive weight and volume to electric vehicle battery packs.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026

Definition of excessive

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“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of lavish

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