[in.dulge] vb in.dulged ; in.dulg.ing [L indulgere to be complaisant] vt (ca. 1623) 1 a: to give free rein to b: to take unrestrained pleasure in: gratify
2. a: to yield to the desire of: humor b: to treat with excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration ~ vi: to indulge oneself -- in.dulg.er n syn indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires "indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse". pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect "pampered by the amenities of modern living". humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims "humored him by letting him tell the story". spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering "foolish parents spoil their children". baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude "babying students by grading too easily". mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare "refused to mollycoddle her malingering son".