All words

indulgent

Meaning

Characterized by excessive generosity or leniency; allowing oneself or others to have things that are not strictly necessary or that are considered morally questionable.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

She was so indulgent with her little boy. He got every toy he asked for, even if he already had too many. Her friends whispered it was too much, that she was letting him have whatever he wanted, spoiling him rotten.

Her smile was always so indulgent, overlooking his late-night tinkering with the antique chronometers that filled the attic. He’d spend hours, fueled by sugary pastries, adjusting gears and springs, though he never sold a single one. It was a harmless, if slightly wasteful, passion.

After weeks of rationing kelp paste, the bioluminescent jellyfish farmers felt a surge of relief. Their leader, usually strict, allowed an extra ration of nutrient paste and even a small piece of preserved sea-fruit, an indulgent treat for their hard work.

Barnaby’s aunt was wonderfully indulgent, letting him eat cake for breakfast and wear mismatched socks to school. He thought she was the best. He even got an extra bedtime story every night, even if he hadn't brushed his teeth properly. What a treat!

Barnaby's pet rock, Reginald, was an excessively pampered pebble. Barnaby’s indulgent nature meant Reginald had his own tiny velvet pillow and a daily bath in fizzy lemonade, even though rocks certainly didn't need that.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

He watched his son tear into the mountains of candy, knowing he shouldn't, but his heart ached for the child's happiness. It was a moment of pure, indulgent relief, a brief escape from the usual stern discipline. He just wanted one good memory for him.

She watched the rare, iridescent beetle inch across her palm, a creature from the forbidden bio-dome. Her mentor had warned her against such personal collections, but the temptation was too great. It was a quiet, indulgent act, this fleeting ownership of the impossible, a secret thrill against the sterile logic of her research.

He knew his grandmother's offer of a second slice of the triple-fudge cake was an indulgent gesture. She rarely bought such rich treats for herself, and he felt a pang of guilt accepting, knowing it went against her usual careful spending. Still, her smile was too warm to refuse.

My uncle’s approach to dessert was unbelievably indulgent. He’d serve mountains of cake, piles of cookies, and then, with a wink, produce a secret stash of gummy worms. He firmly believed life was too short for sensible portion sizes, especially when chocolate was involved.

My prize-winning poodle, Bartholomew, has a rather indulgent owner. He sleeps on silk pillows, dines on escargot Tuesdays, and has a personal masseuse who specializes in ear scratches. Honestly, the dog is living a better life than most monarchs, which, frankly, seems a little much.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

After a brutal week, Sarah felt a powerful urge to be indulgent. She deserved it. She ordered the most decadent dessert, a rich chocolate creation, and a second expensive bottle of wine, even though she knew she shouldn't. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

The artisan, after weeks of painstaking labor on the kinetic sculpture, finally allowed himself an indulgent break. He poured an extra shot into his coffee and stared out at the rain-slicked cobblestones, a quiet satisfaction settling over him as he considered his reward well-earned, even if a little excessive.

Her aunt's kitchen was a place of extreme comfort. Mrs. Gable, with an *indulgent* smile, always piled extra candied pecans onto Sarah’s slice of pie, even when Sarah claimed she was full. It felt like permission to savor every sweet bite without guilt.

Barnaby, a notoriously indulgent patriarch, often showered his poodle, Fluffy, with gourmet liver pâté and diamond-studded collars. He’d then declare Fluffy’s penchant for opera singing, though frankly quite dreadful, a charming peculiarity requiring only the most extravagant affirmation.

The renowned cheese sculptor, known for his indulgent creations, once carved a life-sized brie replica of a notorious historical pirate. He then proceeded to liberally douse it in expensive truffle oil, considering it an essential element of the artistic experience, despite the ensuing pungent aroma and inevitable rodent infestation.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

She always felt a pang of guilt for her extravagant purchases, yet her desire for immediate gratification was an indulgent habit she couldn't seem to break, always seeking solace in unnecessary luxuries, no matter the financial repercussions.

The archivist, weary from deciphering millennia of forgotten script, found himself surprisingly indulgent. He allowed the flickering holographic projection of a forbidden astronomical text to linger, its ethereal glow a stark contrast to the dust-laden tomes surrounding him, a necessary deviation from his rigorous preservation protocols.

The archivists debated the newly unearthed fragment, a purported decree from a forgotten dynasty. Its script hinted at excesses, the king’s patronage of exotic musicians and opulent banquets seemingly without restraint. They questioned whether such an indulgent reign, prioritizing pleasure over prudence, ultimately hastened its own demise.

Bartholomew, a man of prodigious appetites, adopted a decidedly indulgent approach to his household finances, often acquiring a veritable cornucopia of pet chinchillas and bespoke artisanal cheese graters, despite his wife's strident pronouncements regarding fiscal probity.

Bartholomew, a connoisseur of forgotten liqueurs and sentient garden gnomes, was notoriously indulgent. His manor, a veritable panopticon of rococo whimsy, overflowed with imported marzipan sculpted into minuscule gargoyles and silken capes for his prized collection of antique doorknobs, pleasures one couldn't exactly classify as edifying.

Difficulty

Basic — Common words most learners already know.

Appears in

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