indulge
verb
in·dulge in-ˈdəlj 
indulged; indulging
transitive verb
1
a
: to yield to the desire of : humor
please indulge me for a moment
b
: to treat with excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration
2
a
: to give free rein to
b
: to take unrestrained pleasure in : gratify
intransitive verb
: to indulge oneself
indulger noun
Synonyms
- cater (to)
- gratify
- humor
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
It's my birthday. I'm going to indulge myself and eat whatever I want to eat. It's my birthday. I'm going to indulge. Please indulge me while I review the topics we covered yesterday. The museum is an excellent place to let children indulge their curiosity about dinosaurs. She bought a house with a big yard so that she could indulge her passion for gardening.
Recent Examples on the Web Visitors can purchase 20-ounce ceramic beer steins or indulge in German food and beer. 
Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Visit the biodynamic urban farm or indulge in a moonlight massage. Sunset Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 Guests had the chance to explore El Yunque National Forest and participate in volunteer opportunities to help those impacted by the storm, as well as indulge in luxuries like a Moet champagne vending machine on site. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2022 Here on the Riviera, like so many others, Picasso found a pagan paradise, where civilized people could let their hair down and indulge in simple pleasures. Rick Steves, Sun Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2022 This is the perfect time to bring all of your yacht fantasies to life and indulge in a little luxury. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 19 Aug. 2022 Its cerebral tales leap among eras and settings, including multiple pit stops in the actual depths of hell, and rarely, if ever, indulge in anything even vaguely like superheroic action. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2022 The Créme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is a savior for those with dry skin, but just about anyone can indulge in this thick, rich moisturizer, and this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is offering a Grande tub for over $300 off. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 19 July 2022 So check out our recommendations, grab one of our favorite wines to pair with a backyard barbecue and indulge in some outstanding beef delivered right to your door. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 9 July 2022 See More
Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Visit the biodynamic urban farm or indulge in a moonlight massage. Sunset Magazine, 6 Sep. 2022 Guests had the chance to explore El Yunque National Forest and participate in volunteer opportunities to help those impacted by the storm, as well as indulge in luxuries like a Moet champagne vending machine on site. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2022 Here on the Riviera, like so many others, Picasso found a pagan paradise, where civilized people could let their hair down and indulge in simple pleasures. Rick Steves, Sun Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2022 This is the perfect time to bring all of your yacht fantasies to life and indulge in a little luxury. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 19 Aug. 2022 Its cerebral tales leap among eras and settings, including multiple pit stops in the actual depths of hell, and rarely, if ever, indulge in anything even vaguely like superheroic action. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2022 The Créme de la Mer Moisturizing Cream is a savior for those with dry skin, but just about anyone can indulge in this thick, rich moisturizer, and this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is offering a Grande tub for over $300 off. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 19 July 2022 So check out our recommendations, grab one of our favorite wines to pair with a backyard barbecue and indulge in some outstanding beef delivered right to your door. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 9 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin indulgēre to be complaisant
First Known Use
circa 1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a
Phrases Containing indulge
Kids Definition
indulge
verb
in·dulge in-ˈdəlj
indulged; indulging
1
: to give in to the desires of
Grandparents often indulge their grandchildren.
2
: to give in to a desire for something
For my birthday, I indulged in a day off.
indulges
verb
1
as in gratifies
to give in to (a desire) the grandparents indulged the child's wishes to an extent that they never did with their own children Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- gratifies
- pleases
- humors
- revels
- delights
- basks
- spoils
- luxuriates
- satisfies
- wallows
- pampers
- coddles
- satiates
- pleasures
- caters (to)
- mollycoddles
- sates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inhibits
- restrains
- constrains
- curbs
- stifles
- checks
- bridles
2
as in surrenders
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
- surrenders
- abandons
- revels
- delivers
- yields
- overindulges
- basks
- gives up
- overdoes
- wallows
- luxuriates
- rolls
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- denies
- eschews
- forgoes
- foregoes
- inhibits
- restrains
- refrains (from)
- abstains (from)
- checks
- forbears
3
as in spoils
to treat with great or excessive care you indulge those grandkids in ways you never did with your own kids Synonyms & Similar Words
- spoils
- pleases
- pampers
- coddles
- appeases
- satisfies
- delights
- cossets
- nurses
- mollycoddles
- babies
- dandles
- mothers
- humors
- gratifies
- obliges
- cockers
- placates
- soothes
- gladdens
- pacifies
- contents
- wet-nurses
- mollifies
- caters (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abuses
- restrains
- mistreats
- misuses
- manhandles
- controls
- mishandles
- neglects
- maltreats
- oppresses
- disciplines
- violates
- overlooks
- molests
- ill-treats
- harasses
- ill-uses
- injures
- oppresses
- hurts
- outrages
- victimizes
- tortures
- torments
- persecutes
- harms
- slights