1
Overly lenient authority
Excusing faults or relaxing standards too readily.
Example
The indulgent editor accepted revisions long after the deadline.
indulgent
/ɪnˈdʌldʒənt/ · in-DUL-juhntadjective
Overly generous, permissive, or lenient.
Use indulgent when kindness or permission exceeds reasonable limits and avoids necessary discipline.
What indulgent Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Generous treatment
Providing comfort or pleasure beyond ordinary need.
Example
Guests described the elaborate breakfast as indulgent.
3
Permissive judgement
Viewing weakness with excessive tolerance.
Example
The biography is indulgent toward its subject's repeated errors.
Use indulgent Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The indulgent editor accepted revisions long after the deadline.
Guests described the elaborate breakfast as indulgent.
The biography is indulgent toward its subject's repeated errors.
Precision Matters
Indulgent overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
indulgent
vs.May allow too much through kindness.
benevolent
Is kindly and well-meaning without implying excess.
indulgent
vs.Relaxes standards too readily.
scrupulous
Follows exacting standards.
indulgent
vs.Permits comfort or pleasure freely.
austere
Is restrained and severe.
indulgent
vs.Describes an enduring manner.
appease
Calms discontent by meeting demands.
Test indulgent in Context
The author is excessively lenient toward the subject.
1
Reviewers called the biography too ___ because it excuses nearly every mistake its subject made and rarely evaluates the evidence critically.