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verb

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 Met has marshalled its lavish resources to present its first new staging of the work since 2004: hulking sets, images of artful horror, Wagnerian voices, a monster orchestra unleashing a storm of sound. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 Meanwhile, singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh wore a lavish, torso-spanning necklace to the event that echoed the ceremonial 1,000 carat-diamond necklace Cartier designed for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in the 1920s, now on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Milenna Lazazzera, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Verb
While seemingly unlimited resources are lavished on visual effects, the drama is allowed to tie itself into impossible knots. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Losing Lopez for an unspecified time merely confirms the executive’s reluctance to lavish long and loaded contracts on free agents. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lavish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • Botox effectively treats hyperhidrosis by blocking the nerve signals responsible for excessive sweating.
    Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
  • Alcohol and excessive speed were suspected of being involved in the crash, and charges are pending, but not expected to be filed for several weeks.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • With warmer weather comes fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables packed with abundant nutrients.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
  • Investment in nuclear power is growing in the U.S. after a long period of financial turmoil for the industry, including the shutdown of a dozen reactors in recent years as the industry struggled to compete against cheap and abundant natural gas.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • The 1 Hotel Brooklyn delivers a luxurious retreat steps from one of Brooklyn's most magnetic attractions: the Brooklyn Bridge itself.
    Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • There might be a squeeze for retail space in the Hamptons, but there are enough high-profile launches happening this season to make the shopping scene interesting — and a bit different for those summering on Long Island’s luxurious East End.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Whenever there appeared to be a lull in Lee’s case and the narrative threatened to shift toward scrutiny of the police for their lack of hard evidence or progress in the case, a new leak would emerge to re-inflame public outcry, conveniently heaping more pressure on the actor to cooperate.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • The collapse has heaped pressure on medical facilities in the neighbouring city of Omdurman, across the Nile.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • In their 1995 trial, jewelry sales representative Mary Ellen Mahar testified that the brothers had come to her store just four days after the killings and spent about $15,000 on three Rolex watches.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
  • About $230,000 of that has been spent so far on planning and design, said Gary Barberio, deputy city manager for community services.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • The aircraft so extravagant, it’s been called the flying palace.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 May 2025
  • Next week, a coterie of crypto investors will share an extravagant dinner with US president Donald Trump at his golf club in Washington, DC.
    Joel Khalili, Wired News, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Helium-3 is rare on Earth but is thought to be plentiful on the moon.
    Julian Dossett, Space.com, 19 May 2025
  • The logistics would be plentiful, but hosting an NHL Stanley Cup playoff game during a Katy Perry concert in the same building at the same time would be one hell of a night of entertainment.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Linkin Park’s comeback album From Zero is a major commercial success again in the United Kingdom this week, thanks to a huge uptick in interest, which was sparked by the release of a deluxe edition of the title.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • However, despite her acting declaration, Grande still treated fans with a deluxe edition of her latest album, Eternal Sunshine.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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