Indulgence means treating someone with special kindness, often when it is not a good thing.
The king's indulgence towards his sons angered the business community. [+ towards]
For a moment he allowed himself the indulgence of examining his feelings for her.
The car is one of my few indulgences.
Synonyms: luxury, treat, extravagance, favour More Synonyms of indulgence
More Synonyms of indulgence
indulgence in British English
(ɪnˈdʌldʒəns)
noun
1.
the act of indulging or state of being indulgent
2.
a pleasure, habit, etc, indulged in; extravagance
fur coats are an indulgence
3.
liberal or tolerant treatment
4.
something granted as a favour or privilege
5. Roman Catholic Church
a remission of the temporal punishment for sin after its guilt has been forgiven
6. business
an extension of time granted as a favour for payment of a debt or as fulfilment of some other obligation
7. Also called: Declaration of Indulgence
a royal grant during the reigns of Charles II and James II of England giving Nonconformists and Roman Catholics a measure of religious freedom
verb(transitive)
8. Roman Catholic Church
to designate as providing indulgence
indulgenced prayers
indulgence in American English
(ɪnˈdʌldʒəns)
noun
1.
an indulging or being indulgent
2.
a thing indulged in
3.
the act of indulging oneself, or giving way to one's own desires
4.
a favor or privilege
5. Business
an extension of time to make payment on a bill or note, granted as a favor
6. [sometimesI-]; English
the grant of certain religious liberties to Dissenters and Roman Catholics by Charles II and James II
7. Roman CatholicChurch
a partial or complete remission, under conditions specified by the Church, of divine temporal punishment that may otherwise still be due for sin committed but forgiven
verb transitiveWord forms: inˈdulgenced or inˈdulgencing
8. Roman CatholicChurch
to attach an indulgence to
Word origin
OFr < L indulgentia
Examples of 'indulgence' in a sentence
indulgence
I hoped for a kind judge: I relied too much upon an unjust indulgence, for I hoped to shuffle by.
O'Brian, Patrick TESTIMONIES (2003)
It is the secure, she thought wisely, who can afford the indulgence of infidelity.
Murray, Stephen DEATH AND TRANSFIGURATION (2003)
Quietly promising them indulgence to come, I shut down my senses.
Edward Docx THE CALLIGRAPHER (2003)
Sir, the defense moves that the cases be tried individually, and begs the indulgence of the court to confer with his clients.
Clancy, Tom CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (2003)
In other languages
indulgence
British English: indulgence NOUN
Indulgence means treating someone with special kindness, often when it is not a good thing.
The king's indulgence towards his sons angered the business community.
American English: indulgence
Brazilian Portuguese: indulgência
Chinese: 纵容
European Spanish: indulgencia
French: indulgence
German: Nachsicht
Italian: indulgenza
Japanese: 甘やかし
Korean: 오냐오냐하며 내버려둠
European Portuguese: indulgência
Latin American Spanish: indulgencia
Chinese translation of 'indulgence'
indulgence
(ɪnˈdʌldʒəns)
n
(u) (= leniency) 纵(縱)容 (zòngróng)
(c) (= pleasure) 嗜好 (shìhào) (个(個), gè)
1 (noun)
Definition
something granted as a favour or privilege
The car is one of my few indulgences.
Synonyms
luxury
We never had money for little luxuries.
treat
He never failed to return without a special treat for them.
extravagance
Our only extravagance is two holidays a year.
favour
I've come to ask for a favour.
privilege
She was born into a life of privilege.
2 (noun)
Definition
the act of indulging oneself or someone else
The king's indulgence towards his sons angered them.
Synonyms
leniency
The judge rejected pleas for leniency.
pampering
spoiling
kindness
We have been treated with such kindness by everybody.
fondness
I've always had a fondness for jewels.
permissiveness
partiality
a partiality for junk food
3 (noun)
Definition
the act of indulging oneself or someone else
Sadly, constant indulgence can be a costly affair.
Synonyms
intemperance
excess
He had led a life of excess.
extravagance
the ridiculous extravagance of his claims
debauchery
The police were called to quell scenes of violence and debauchery.
dissipation
Her face was a revelation of age and dissipation.
overindulgence
His condition is the natural consequence of a lifetime's overindulgence.
prodigality
immoderation
dissoluteness
intemperateness
profligacy
The country's main problem is fiscal profligacy.
profligateness
Opposites
moderation
,
temperance
,
strictness
,
temperateness
4 (noun)
his indulgence of his gross appetites
Synonyms
gratification
the gratification of his every whim
satisfaction
She felt a small glow of satisfaction.
fulfilment
appeasement
the appeasement of terror
satiation
5 (noun)
Definition
liberal or tolerant treatment
Synonyms
tolerance
his tolerance and understanding of diverse human nature
understanding
We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
patience
It's important to keep your patience in situations such as this.
courtesy
If you're not coming, at least do me the courtesy of letting me know.
goodwill
forbearance
a high degree of tolerance and forbearance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appeasement
the appeasement of terror
Synonyms
easing,
relieving,
satisfaction,
softening,
blunting,
soothing,
quieting,
lessening,
lulling,
quelling,
solace,
quenching,
mitigation,
abatement,
alleviation,
assuagement,
tranquillization
in the sense of courtesy
Definition
a courteous act or remark
If you're not coming, at least do me the courtesy of letting me know.
Synonyms
favour,
consideration,
generosity,
kindness,
indulgence,
benevolence
in the sense of debauchery
Definition
excessive drunkenness or sexual activity
The police were called to quell scenes of violence and debauchery.