indulge
/ɪnˈdʌldʒ
/verb
1 [no object] (indulge in) Allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of: we indulged in a cream tea...
- Their inability to retain possession allowed Rangers to indulge in the passing game they enjoy.
- I've been enjoying the competition, indulging in brief and largely meaningless intensities of feeling.
- I will be the only person to know that beneath my business attire, I am indulging in a secret pleasure.
Synonyms
wallow in, give oneself up to, give way to, yield to, abandon oneself to, give rein to, give free rein to;
luxuriate in, revel in, lose oneself in
1.1 (indulge in) Become involved in (an activity, typically one that is undesirable or disapproved of): I don’t indulge in idle gossip...
- The organisations indulging in this sinister activity have had a free play as never before in the history of free India.
- Firstly, we should not allow ourselves to indulge in hype about the consequences of the disease.
- By allowing yourself to indulge in these fears, he is already making your life hell.
1.2 informal Allow oneself to enjoy a particular pleasure, especially that of alcohol: I only indulge on special occasions...
- Louis didn't much care for alcohol and only usually indulged on special occasions.
- You may indulge and enjoy some forbidden pleasures but cannot deceive yourself for long.
- It's difficult to let go of those inhibitions because they feel guilty about indulging too heartily or allowing themselves too much pleasure.
Synonyms
treat oneself, give oneself a treat, luxuriate in something, give oneself up to pleasure;
splash out
informal have a spree, go to town, splurge
1.3 [with object] Satisfy or yield freely to (a desire or interest): she was able to indulge a growing passion for literature...
- Jean has been able to indulge her interest in art and nature, wellness, writing, reading, swimming, and walking.
- When I took the reins, I was able to indulge my own interest in history and start doing research.
- But for the most part, Mann is amazed that he is still able to indulge his interests for a living.
Synonyms
satisfy, gratify, fulfil, satiate, quench, appease, feed, accommodate;
go along with, yield to, give in to, give way to, pander to, cater to, comply with
2 [with object] Allow (someone) to enjoy something desired: a luxury service used to indulge the chief executive...
- My maker indulged me in this little secret while I was still young and I used it wisely.
- Kris grunted, ‘Well why don't you tell me about your past and perhaps I'll indulge you with my deep dark secrets.’
- Does she feel rather dashing, a bona fide member of someone else's generation, or is she merely indulging her younger and stupider staff?
Synonyms
pamper, spoil, overindulge, coddle, mollycoddle, cosset, nanny, nursemaid, mother, baby, pet, spoon-feed, feather-bed, wrap in cotton wool, overparent;
pander to, humour, wait on someone hand and foot, cater to someone's every whim, kill someone with kindness
archaic cocker
Derivatives
indulger
/ noun ...- How in the hell do you teach a big happy dog to be subtle and keep herself and her indulger out of trouble?
- Servers give indulgers a 16-oz. glass and patrons make the drinks themselves for $7.50, with an extra $3 charge for an oyster.
- Savor the island's epicurean treats at the Swizzle Inn, where indulgers have been said to swagger out.
Origin
Early 17th century (in the sense 'treat with excessive kindness'): from Latin indulgere 'give free rein to'.