lavish 1 of 2

adjective

ˈla-vish How to pronounce lavish (audio)
Definition of lavishnext
1
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount this lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue

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2
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

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3
as in luxurious
showing obvious signs of wealth and comfort the lavish apartment even boasted a marble bathroom with gold-plated fixtures

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lavish

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to heap
to give readily and in large quantities doting parents lavishing lots of attention on their children

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2
as in to spend
to use up carelessly a great actor who lavished his talent in lousy movies

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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
Absolute Batman, written by Snyder, was the top-selling comic of 2024 and the comic is still generating six figures sales while also engendering lavish praise. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025 Epstein also worked as a consultant and had a number of investments, which helped fund his lavish and often secretive lifestyle in the city and the Caribbean. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
While critics aren’t lavishing praise (70%) fans seem to be enjoying the remake (93%). —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 The media lavished its attention on George and basically ignored the other three band members. —David Chiu, People.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
  1. excessive
  2. abundant
  3. luxurious
  4. heap
  5. spend
  6. extravagant
  7. plentiful
  8. deluxe
Adjective
  • The weather service predicts that parts of Maryland remain at risk for excessive rainfall and the potential for flash floods.
    — Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 14 July 2025
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took to X on Saturday to say his office was closely monitoring the situation and advised use excessive caution in the affected areas.
    — Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • In point of fact, in parks and gardens abundant in plants and flowers, the grass is nothing more than a backdrop.
    — Fabio Morábito, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
  • This is an abundant season for Rooks who recently left her NBA reporting job at TNT and Bleacher Report.
    — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 July 2025
Definition of abundant
Adjective
  • Joe Raedle/Getty Images The cabin will be preset to be at the customer's ideal temperature ahead of their meeting and the concierge will help connect phones to the vehicle to run Apple CarPlay. Dropping off the vehicle is designed to be as easy and luxurious as pickup.
    — Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
  • Despite being booked and busy during her visit in Turkey, Lopez will get to enjoy the Regnum Carya’s most luxurious and relaxing accommodation, the Crown Villa, the property tells PEOPLE.
    — Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of luxurious
Verb
  • It’s known for serving plates heaped with seafood, including clams, squid, tiger prawns, and more.
    — Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • In a documentary released by the PGA Tour chronicling Scheffler’s 2024 season, a host of pros – including two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg – heaped adulation on Scheffler’s patience and focus.
    — Max Rego, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Definition of heap
Verb
  • Soliman spent about four years at Cincinnati Children's, first arriving in the United States in 2014 after being persecuted in his native Egypt for work in support of freelance journalists.
    — Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
  • Pyne spent 15 seasons there as a firefighter, some of them living in an old cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
    — Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of spend
Adjective
  • Breaking up the wearying journey, devotees gather for outbreaks of extravagant revelry – ground-shaking music and dancing fueled by devotion, ganja and alcohol, as befits in their eyes Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and renewal, to whom the festival is dedicated.
    — Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
  • Trump and his allies have seized on the project as evidence of wasteful spending by alleging the Fed’s building revamp of including extravagant rooftop gardens, VIP elevators, and high-end dining rooms—claims Powell and the Fed have strongly denied.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 23 July 2025
Definition of extravagant
Adjective
  • Florida health officials announced on July 11 that four people had died and at least seven others were made sick due to Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly flesh-eating bacteria that seems to be plentiful in Florida's warm climate.
    — Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 21 July 2025
  • Giddy gratification and gory glimpses of the ocean predators are plentiful this year, as is some frightening and fascinating footage of the summer season’s seminal scallywag.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
Definition of plentiful
Adjective
  • Clean your pearls with a polishing cloth and a pearl safe spray, our deluxe cleaning kit is perfect for the job.
    — Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • There are several clusters of bedrooms throughout the house, but the deluxe primary suite is a true showstopper with a fireplace, a sitting room with a wet bar, and access to a private deck overlooking the grounds.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
Definition of deluxe

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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