indulgence

[in-duhl-juhns] / ɪnˈdʌl dʒəns /

NOUN

luxury; gratification

Synonyms

STRONGEST

extravagance kindness leniency permissiveness privilege

STRONG

allowance appeasement attention courtesy endurance excess favor fondling fondness forbearance fulfillment goodwill hedonism immoderation intemperance intemperateness lenience pampering partiality patience petting pleasing profligacy satiation satisfaction service spoiling tolerance toleration understanding

WEAK

babying coddling favoring gratifying kowtowing placating profligateness toadying treating

Antonyms

STRONG

disapproval disfavor disregard dissatisfaction frustration intolerance need want

WEAK

abstention care moderation temperance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some of what looks like indulgence is infrastructure; some of it is indulgence.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

The company hopes to capture higher-margin sales and appeal to younger consumers, who are gravitating toward customized, colorful drinks as an affordable indulgence.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

However, the evidence suggests it may be wiser to treat it as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

This was largely thanks to La Liga's efforts to ensure those actions do not remain unpunished within a judicial culture that long treated football's "industrial" language and "banter" with indulgence.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

“I rather hope to satisfy you both,” said Emma, “for I shall do all in my power to make them happy, which will be enough for Isabella; and happiness must preclude false indulgence and physic.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Vocabulary lists containing indulgence

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