LAVISH Synonyms: 204 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'lavish' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lavish are exuberant , lush , luxuriant , prodigal , and profuse . While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. // a lavish party

Q: When might 'exuberant' be a better fit than 'lavish'?

The words exuberant and lavish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. // an exuberant imagination

Q: In what contexts can 'lush' take the place of 'lavish'?

In some situations, the words lush and lavish are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. // a lush green lawn

Q: When is it sensible to use 'luxuriant' instead of 'lavish'?

Although the words luxuriant and lavish have much in common, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. // a luxuriant beard

Q: When is 'prodigal' a more appropriate choice than 'lavish'?

The synonyms prodigal and lavish are sometimes interchangeable, but prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. // prodigal spending

Q: When would 'profuse' be a good substitute for 'lavish'?

The meanings of profuse and lavish largely overlap; however, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. // profuse apologies

lavish 1 of 2

adjective

ˈla-vish

Definition of lavish

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount this lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in abundant

pouring forth in great amounts the lavish praise that the novel was receiving had some wondering if it could ever live up to readers' expectations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in luxurious

showing obvious signs of wealth and comfort the lavish apartment even boasted a marble bathroom with gold-plated fixtures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lavish

2 of 2

verb

as in to heap

to give readily and in large quantities doting parents lavishing lots of attention on their children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spend

to use up carelessly a great actor who lavished his talent in lousy movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word lavish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of lavish are exuberant, lush, luxuriant, prodigal, and profuse. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When might exuberant be a better fit than lavish?

The words exuberant and lavish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

In what contexts can lush take the place of lavish?

In some situations, the words lush and lavish are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When is it sensible to use luxuriant instead of lavish?

Although the words luxuriant and lavish have much in common, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When is prodigal a more appropriate choice than lavish?

The synonyms prodigal and lavish are sometimes interchangeable, but prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

When would profuse be a good substitute for lavish?

The meanings of profuse and lavish largely overlap; however, profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of lavish

Adjective

The singer married Travis Kelce in a lavish New York City ceremony on July 3. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 July 2026 The economics of that film, which was directed by Brett Ratner, have drawn criticism given the lavish spending on its marketing campaign. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 1 July 2026

Verb

The Biden administration lavished attention on India as a vital strategic partner and feted Modi during a 2023 state visit. — Nick Duffy, NBC news, 23 May 2026 An obvious contributor, also cited by Powell, is the king’s ransom being lavished on AI data centers, projected to reach almost $1 trillion this year, multiples of the number three years ago. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lavish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish

Adjective

Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.

— Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Black residents of the city have expressed fear of harassment and concerns about trading high crime for excessive policing.

— Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Cheap, abundant labor is exactly the condition under which a company most needs a grown-up in the room to decide what all that fast output should add up to.

— Sue Mysko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
English colonists from Barbados and Bermuda settled in the region during that time, bringing with them enslaved Africans with their own abundant culinary heritage.

— Amethyst Ganaway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

Design Within Reach aims to make luxurious designer furniture pieces from the past and present just a little more accessible for online shoppers.

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026
Shunya will be able to fly a pilot and either six passengers with a bit of luggage, or four in more luxurious seating.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026

Definition of luxurious

Verb

Almost daily long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities have created a fuel crisis and heaped political pressure on the Kremlin as its all-out invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fifth year.

— Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
The restaurant serves up diner-style plates for breakfast and lunch, including heaping pancake stacks and hearty sandwiches.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

Definition of heap

Verb

During our time away, our neighbors visited with us at the hospital, looked after our house and came over daily to feed and spend time with our cat.

— Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
American doctors are so conspicuously well-paid that a group of economic researchers spent years trying to figure out why.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of spend

Adjective

There is always a suspension of disbelief required in luxury fashion, as designers use the runway to communicate their most extravagant, pie-in-the-sky vision of what clothes could be.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Davis was known to the world for his extravagant style and lavish Grammy parties.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Definition of extravagant

Adjective

That latter tune is included as a bonus track on the deluxe digital version of the new album.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 3 July 2026
The set includes 25 hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes materials; deluxe packaging with rare photographs and new illustrations, plus artwork and documents annotated by Kubrick himself.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 June 2026

Definition of deluxe

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“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of lavish

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