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
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Sometimes a little indulgence is totally called for!
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 13 June 2024
Yes, this might partially be a hangover from last month’s indulgences, or a credit card balance coming due.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2024
The Chocolate Cookie Crumble Bar is a perfect treat for on-the-go indulgence.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 21 May 2024
That indulgence can be sweets, alcohol, meat or other foods and drinks.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for indulgence 
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 13 June 2024
Yes, this might partially be a hangover from last month’s indulgences, or a credit card balance coming due.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2024
The Chocolate Cookie Crumble Bar is a perfect treat for on-the-go indulgence.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 21 May 2024
That indulgence can be sweets, alcohol, meat or other foods and drinks.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for indulgence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indulgence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indulgence. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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
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