indulges

Gives in freely

Indulges is the third-person singular of indulge—to allow oneself or another to enjoy something, often with a hint of excess or self-gratification.

Someone indulges a craving, a habit, or a whim: She indulges in chocolate after a hard day.

To indulge another person is to give them what they want, perhaps too readily: He indulges his children's every request.

The word carries a faint suggestion of giving in to something you probably shouldn't.

pleasure

treats

Snacks given as rewards

enjoys · luxuriates · revels · splurges · spoils · delights · satisfies · wallows · basks · relishes

excess

overindulges

Consumes to excess

decadence · excess · immoderation · intemperance · extravagance · dissipation · profligacy · debauchery · abandon · wantonness

vice

drinks

Liquids for consumption

  • smokesCigarettes, informally
  • gamblesWagers on uncertain outcomes
  • vicesImmoral habits or practices

temptation · weakness · habit · addiction · craving · guilty pleasure · sin · forbidden · secret · compulsion

permissive

tolerates

Permits without approval

  • allowsGrants permission for
  • permitsGrants formal authorization
  • humorsAccommodates someone's wishes

accommodates · enables · excuses · overlooks · forgives · condones · sanctions · appeases · caters · obliges

Opposites
self-gratification vs. self-denial

indulgesabstains

Deliberately doesn't partake

refrains · forgoes · fasts · sacrifices · renounces

PERMISSIVENESS VS. RESTRICTION (toward others)

indulgesdeprives

Takes something away

denies · frustrates · restricts · disciplines · restrains

gratification vs. denial

indulgesabstains

Deliberately doesn't partake

denies · deprives · refuses · refrains · withholds

Phrases
Family

indulge, indulgence, indulgent, indulged, indulging, overindulge, indulgently, indulgences, self-indulgence

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G