Vocabulary in context
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Indulge
To yield to or gratify a desire, especially by allowing oneself or someone else to enjoy a pleasure; to pamper or humor.
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Imagine This
Imagine walking past a bakery after a very busy day. You tell yourself you’ll pass, but you decide to indulge and savor a rich chocolate croissant, letting the sweetness melt away your stress.
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Sounds Like
in-DUHLJ
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Looks Like
resembles related words such as indulgence and indulgent
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Remember This
Indulge is often followed by in (indulge in a dessert, indulge in a hobby) or by someone (indulge someone's wishes). It can carry a positive sense of self-care or a warning against overindulgence.
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Other Forms
indulgencenoun
indulgentadjective
indulgingverb
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Connect With
gratify, pamper, humor, leniency, self-indulgence
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Note
distinction: indulge means to grant pleasure or leniency, whereas to refrain or deny would be the opposite. Be careful not to overindulge, which can carry a negative connotation of excess.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- After dieting all week, she decided to indulge in a slice of chocolate cake.
- Parents should not indulge every whim of their children.
Synonyms
gratifypamperhumorcoddleaccommodate
Antonyms
denyrefusedeprive
Etymology
From Latin indulgere 'to be lenient toward', from in- 'toward' + dolere 'to grieve' (or suffer); the sense evolved to mean granting a favor or pleasure.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: Remember the phrase 'indulge in luxuries'—when you indulge, you allow yourself to enjoy a pleasure.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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