self-indulgence

1 of 2

noun

self-in·​dul·​gence ˌself-in-ˈdəl-jən(t)s How to pronounce self-indulgence (audio)
Synonyms of self-indulgencenext
: excessive or unrestrained gratification of one's own appetites, desires, or whims
self-indulgent
ˌself-in-ˈdəl-jənt How to pronounce self-indulgence (audio)
adjective
self-indulgently adverb

self-indulgent

2 of 2

adjective

: indulging oneself or marked by self-indulgence
a mild, self-indulgent bachelor—G. K. Chesterton
an easy, self-indulgent, dilettante way of looking at life—Havelock Ellis
self-indulgently
¦⸗⸗¦⸗⸗⸗
adverb

Examples of self-indulgence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There's no time for any sort of self-indulgence. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026 But even the self-indulgence on display could not ruin the privilege of watching football in a stadium that magnificent. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Simón, who undertook a similar odyssey at the same age, never allows this delicate story to succumb to self-indulgence or an inflated sense of its own importance. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 The top reason people resist showing themselves kindness, research has found, is the belief that self-compassion indicates laziness or self-indulgence. — Nir Eyal, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-indulgence

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1636, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-indulgence was in 1636

Rhymes for self-indulgence

See All Rhymes for self-indulgence

Browse Nearby Words

self-indulged
self-indulgence
self-indulgent
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Cite this Entry

“Self-indulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-indulgence. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

self-indulgence

noun
self-in·​dul·​gence
ˌsel-fin-ˈdəl-jən(t)s
: the quality or state of being self-indulgent

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