Synonyms

indulge

American

[in-duhlj] / ɪnˈdʌldʒ /

verb (used without object)

to yield to an inclination or desire; allow oneself to follow one's will (often followed byin ).

Dessert came, but I didn't indulge.
They indulged in unbelievable shopping sprees.

verb (used with object)

to yield to, satisfy, or gratify (desires, feelings, etc.).

to indulge one's appetite for sweets.
to yield to the wishes or whims of; be lenient or permissive with.

to indulge a child.

Synonyms:

favor, pamper
to allow (oneself ) to follow one's will (usually followed byin ).

to indulge oneself in reckless spending.
Commerce. to grant an extension of time, for payment or performance, to (a person, company, etc.) or on (a bill, note, etc.).

indulge British

/ ɪnˈdʌldʒ /

verb

to yield to or gratify (a whim or desire for)

to indulge a desire for new clothes
to indulge in new clothes
(tr) to yield to the wishes of; pamper

to indulge a child
(tr) to allow oneself the pleasure of something

at Christmas he liked to indulge himself
(tr) commerce to allow (a debtor) an extension of time for payment of (a bill, etc)
informal (intr) to take alcoholic drink, esp to excess

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See humor.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of indulge

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin indulgēre “to be lenient toward, to accede, to take pleasure in”

Explanation

Indulge is a verb that means "to give in to something," like when you indulge your craving for chocolate by eating a big piece of it. The original meaning of indulge is "to treat with unearned favor." That's why it doesn't mean the same as reward. Instead, when you indulge, you enjoy or take part in something just because you want to — like indulging in a celebrity gossip magazine: you know you should be doing something more constructive, but you don't care. When you indulge someone else, you go along with whatever they want to do.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing indulge

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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.

"Indulge in curiosity and it pays back in how you can use this technology."

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Indulge a certain inner calm, then, when watching Canada’s secession politics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Indulge in 16-ounce prime ribeyes, 14-ounce prime NY strip steaks and decadent double-cut 6-ounce Colorado lamb chops for a memorable holiday gift.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025

Indulge me while I get meta on you.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025

Indulge your vengeance; but believe me when I say that I have never loved any woman better than you.

From Froth by Palacio Vald?s, Armando

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023