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Synonyms

self-indulgent

American  
[self-in-duhl-juhnt, self-] / ˈsɛlf ɪnˈdʌl dʒənt, ˌsɛlf- /

adjective

  1. indulging one's own desires, passions, whims, etc., especially without restraint.

  2. characterized by such indulgence.


self-indulgent British  

adjective

  1. tending to indulge one's own desires, etc

"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

Other Word Forms

  • self-indulgence noun
  • self-indulgently adverb
  • self-indulger noun

Etymology

Origin of self-indulgent

First recorded in 1785–95

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.

That Europeans and Canadians resent being spoken to in this way is self-indulgent on our part.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

In that instance, the public were given the chance to choose the overall winner, opting for the term describing "unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly or greedy" behaviour.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

Isn’t this a “First World problem,” a form of privileged whining or a self-indulgent bid for tea and sympathy?

From Salon • Sep. 20, 2025

Depending on who you speak to, Hideo Kojima is either a visionary prophet or a self-indulgent, wannabe movie-maker.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2025

Members of Abnegation don’t own many decorations, since they are viewed as self-indulgent, but what few things we were allowed, he has.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth