as in luxurious
given to or marked by excessive gratification of one's desires
a reality show about self-indulgent twentysomethings whose sole concerns seem to be getting down and getting drunk
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Recent Examples of self-indulgent
On first listen, these first 45 seconds sound like self-indulgent throat clearing.
—
Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
In the face of such grave concerns, Alyoshka’s torments seem self-indulgent and frustrating, but his problem—whether to leave or stay—is far from insignificant.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
And to go there with a critical eye and not to be self-indulgent.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
All of this self-indulgent whining, by the way, is going on while Pippa is supposed to be supporting Bree at her photography exhibit.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Some lauded Coppola for his ambition and refusal to play it safe, but the praise was exceeded by criticism, with the movie being called incoherent and self-indulgent.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Rescued repeatedly by Anderson’s surehandedness as an entertainer, One Battle After Another is clearly the best picture that could have been made from so self-indulgent a script.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Despite the mixed reception, the money counter was an earnest attempt to keep the show running on schedule, preventing one or two self-indulgent speakers from wrecking the running time.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
What felt different was how formerly personal (and occasionally self-indulgent) matters telescoped into broader concerns.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Jackson Howard, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2026
In the face of such grave concerns, Alyoshka’s torments seem self-indulgent and frustrating, but his problem—whether to leave or stay—is far from insignificant.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
And to go there with a critical eye and not to be self-indulgent.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
All of this self-indulgent whining, by the way, is going on while Pippa is supposed to be supporting Bree at her photography exhibit.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Some lauded Coppola for his ambition and refusal to play it safe, but the praise was exceeded by criticism, with the movie being called incoherent and self-indulgent.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Rescued repeatedly by Anderson’s surehandedness as an entertainer, One Battle After Another is clearly the best picture that could have been made from so self-indulgent a script.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
Despite the mixed reception, the money counter was an earnest attempt to keep the show running on schedule, preventing one or two self-indulgent speakers from wrecking the running time.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
What felt different was how formerly personal (and occasionally self-indulgent) matters telescoped into broader concerns.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-indulgent
Adjective
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But the way Marchenko insists on drawing lines of uncomplicated beauty through the howling darkness of these songs gives his solitude a luxurious, almost decadent quality.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Striking new lights — inside and out — add to the visual appeal of a luxurious new interior and entirely new exterior.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the sensual afro-pop fusion, produced by Daramola, the artists sing about connecting and desiring each other, and even wanting to have each other’s baby.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
-
All across what is probably the best pop album of all time, Michael got sexy, sensual, and introspective in equal measures.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
MacFarlane voices the hedonistic, anthropomorphic teddy bear in the series that serves as a prequel to Universal’s 2012 comedy film of the same name and its 2015 sequel.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Mar. 2026
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In 1972, Hannes (Enzo Brumm), a gangly farm boy adrift in a hedonistic haze of hormones and counterculture, stumbles upon a revelation through his contact with a love interest’s geranium.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-indulgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-indulgent. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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