1
as in to gratify
to give in to (a desire)
the grandparents indulged the child's wishes to an extent that they never did with their own children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to surrender
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 to spoil
to treat with great or excessive care
you indulge those grandkids in ways you never did with your own kids
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of indulge
In a 2018 interview with Stereogum, after announcing their disbandment, Minus the Bear elaborated on their decision to call it quits at the time, citing an uptick in life events, spending time with their families, facing differing creative attitudes, and indulging the possibility of new paths.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2025
As Jaclyn tries to encourage (mock?) divorcee Laurie into having a fling at the resort with one of the staff members, Laurie is visibly torn between indulging her own desires and proving her friends’ pity to be misplaced.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2025
In America, self-control is framed as a personal choice — a way to get in shape or prove mental toughness before indulging again.
—Julie Cobalt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Here’s how Virgin Voyages’ bet on wellness pays off for travelers who want to indulge and stay active.
—Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulge
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2025
As Jaclyn tries to encourage (mock?) divorcee Laurie into having a fling at the resort with one of the staff members, Laurie is visibly torn between indulging her own desires and proving her friends’ pity to be misplaced.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 3 Mar. 2025
In America, self-control is framed as a personal choice — a way to get in shape or prove mental toughness before indulging again.
—Julie Cobalt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Here’s how Virgin Voyages’ bet on wellness pays off for travelers who want to indulge and stay active.
—Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indulge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indulge
Verb
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She was especially gratified while working in Pisgah, the first national forest created from private lands purchased under the Weeks Act, which was signed in 1911, to protect watersheds and coördinate fire protection in the eastern United States.—
Peter Slevin,
The New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2025
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The production of such a fun and poignant piece is gratifying.—
David John Chávez,
The Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Eight others have had their certifications temporarily suspended, and three officers voluntarily surrendered their licenses.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2025
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On Thursday, Ehrlich surrendered himself to authorities at the Lakewood Township Police headquarters before being transported to Ocean County Jail, where he’s currently being held, according to prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.—
Monica Mark,
The Christian Science Monitor,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Right here, inches from our noses, are observations, memories, and relationships—people to please—that can generate the kind of richness that Brainard brings to his work.—
David S. Wallace,
The New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2025
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My dad was going to engineering school at Columbia [to please] his father.—
Eric Ryan,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The decision, however, has been the subject of apparent criticism from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, who have claimed Williams and Wilmore were abandoned by the Biden administration.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
18 Mar. 2025
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The mission drew political attention when Trump and Musk vowed to speed up the astronauts' return and accused former president Joe Biden's administration of abandoning the astronauts.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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After recovering from Hurricane Helene, the opulent, castle-like inn is back to pampering guests at every turn.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2025
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Despite the luxury and pampering the resort has to offer, the true highlight of Platte Island is the Indian Ocean itself.—
Jason Chau,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But a missing pearl earring sends her down a conspiracy rabbit hole, which is only made deeper by her shop-teacher co-worker Dave Delgado (Gael García Bernal), who has eyes for her, humoring her every whim.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2025
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Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain came to Washington, humoring Trump.—
Maureen Dowd,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This is a cop novel that fully satisfies its genre expectations — chases, gun battles, sinister bad guys, questionable cops, cowards and heroes.—
Claude Peck,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2025
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Maserati GranTurismo Folgore: Still A Practical Grand Tourer The main reason for the weight of these Folgore cars is their batteries, which have been made big enough to satisfy the grand touring implied by the name.—
James Morris,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indulge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indulge. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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