indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s 
1
a
: the act of indulging in something
especially
: self-indulgence
b
: something indulged in
walk off gastronomic indulgences—
Barbara L. Michaels
Barbara L. Michaels2
a
: an indulgent act
b
: an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor
4
: remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation)
Synonyms
Examples of indulgence in a Sentence
She lived a life of selfish indulgence.
his indulgence in forbidden pleasures
She found that she couldn't afford the indulgences she had once enjoyed.
For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Good food is my only indulgence.
Recent Examples on the Web
For those seeking a communion with nature that has more than a dash of indulgence, Clayoquot offers an unforgettable escape into the wild heart of British Columbia.
—Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2025
Of course, there are also plenty of modern indulgences, like a smart TV for catching up on your Netflix shows, a washer and dryer, speedy Wi-Fi, and a bluetooth sound system.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
In an interview with New York Magazine, Davidson was asked what his first indulgence was after getting his first SNL paycheck.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
These comics reveal no doubts about their own level of indulgence, and their performance takes on the feel of a revival meeting, existing to excuse and reinforce the audience’s appetites.
—John Roy, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for indulgence 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2025
Of course, there are also plenty of modern indulgences, like a smart TV for catching up on your Netflix shows, a washer and dryer, speedy Wi-Fi, and a bluetooth sound system.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025
In an interview with New York Magazine, Davidson was asked what his first indulgence was after getting his first SNL paycheck.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
These comics reveal no doubts about their own level of indulgence, and their performance takes on the feel of a revival meeting, existing to excuse and reinforce the audience’s appetites.
—John Roy, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for indulgence
Articles Related to indulgence
Dictionary Entries Near indulgence
Cite this Entry
“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgence. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indulgence
noun
in·dul·gence
in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s
1
: the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent
2
: an indulgent act
3
: something indulged in
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share