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
Retailers globally have quickly adopted the trend, which allows consumers to feel smarter in their shopping - being both self-indulgent and financially responsible at exactly the same time.
—
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
And at what point does self-promotion become self-indulgent?
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 May 2026
Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
At this point, Iran is looking less like a rival to the average Westerner, and more like an ally of the America First anti-globalist movement, successfully dismantling the illusion that exorbitant and self-indulgent Western foreign policy serves anything more than outdated narratives.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Not Trump, of all presidents, an amoral self-indulgent grifter by trade and liar by practice.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
And at what point does self-promotion become self-indulgent?
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 May 2026
Many other traditionalists have made a version of Scruton’s critique, insisting that contemporary art reflects self-indulgent, relativistic, and impious tendencies.
—Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
At this point, Iran is looking less like a rival to the average Westerner, and more like an ally of the America First anti-globalist movement, successfully dismantling the illusion that exorbitant and self-indulgent Western foreign policy serves anything more than outdated narratives.
—Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Not Trump, of all presidents, an amoral self-indulgent grifter by trade and liar by practice.
—Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-indulgent
Adjective
-
All game was fair game, and eating wild things was both luxurious and banal—throughout the country the consumption of wild animals was entirely typical.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
The spa Tucked away from the hotel’s main areas is the luxurious Lanesborough Club & Spa, an urban oasis widely recognized as one of the city's most exclusive wellness addresses.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
There's a sensual coo just waiting to whisper out of you this week, Sagittarius, so be sure to set aside some time for intimacy.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
The contemporary luxury womenswear brand includes structured pieces with statement cutouts aplenty in the sensual designs from Mizrahi.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
There was a time when famed hedonistic hostess Rebekah Harkness despised parties.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
8 June 2026
-
Sun, sea, sand and sangria have reigned supreme here for decades, from the hedonistic super clubs that provide its late-night soundtrack, to the beach bars overlooking its famous Balearic sunset.—
Jaymi McCann,
TheWeek,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-indulgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-indulgent. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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