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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

Examples 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 dozens indicted last September in Georgia on RICO and domestic-terrorism charges for protesting plans for a lavish Atlanta police-training facility face the same time-buying, life-destroying, carceral-state pressure. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 They were written without the context of why those decisions were made — not for lavish reasons, but to answer a business need. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
That’s because the researchers behind the study spent years lavishing the star with attention from one of Earth’s most advanced planet-hunting instruments, mindfully avoiding many of the pitfalls that undermined their predecessors. John Wenz, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile money from that fund has been lavished on almost anything else, including a $5 million volleyball stadium, payments to sports celebrities, and boot-camp-style fitness programs. Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lavish 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lavish
Adjective
  • For many years, it was renowned for being a major party destination, known for excessive drinking, the easy availability of drugs and river tubing linked to a string of fatalities.
    Isaac Yee, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
  • While never approaching the emotional impact of the Russell Crowe-led original epic, Scott brings the busy sequel (sharks and even an irritable rhino gets thrown in the mix) to gory, excessive CGI heights.
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In one of these observations, Booth and her colleagues found abundant methanol (opens a new tab) within a nearby planet-forming disk.
    Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
  • The wildlife agency says the population is strong and abundant.
    Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Enter the Neiman Marcus Holiday Book, a classic guide to the most luxurious festive shopping imaginable.
    Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The luxurious set it’s included in is essential for anyone who wants to ring in the holidays the JLo way.
    Jackie Fields, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Therefore, making or ordering enough food for everyone to have, at the very least, a heaping first place (and ideally a second) is a must.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
  • Now, you’re left with a heaping, gooey pile of guts and seeds.
    Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Julie has spent time in Norman, Oklahoma, and New York since May.
    Chantz Martin, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The Giants can tender DeVito with a league minimum deal and use the extra cash to spend at another position while avoiding paying top dollar for a veteran backup quarterback.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In a chic throwback photo the British reality competition series shared on Instagram, the series judge, 84, casually leans across a bar top, wearing a long elegant gown, extravagant earrings and beehive-style hair.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
  • On the spectator side, guests will have multiple extravagant viewership options: About 150 of the hotel rooms in the Amphitheater Tower have stage-facing balconies that are, at most, 200 feet from the stage — providing a private, mini-suite experience.
    Jessica Boehm, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • So do lower speed limits, plentiful speed cameras, and consistent enforcement.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Blood is a plentiful source of protein-building amino acids, but those typically only account for around 10% of the fuel used by mammals during exercise.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Southern California happenings After a century, concrete plant that helped build L.A. makes way for a deluxe tower.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
  • The reissue was available in multiple permutations, including a deluxe digital download, two vinyl variants, and two CD/Blu-ray audio combo editions (most inclusive of additional unearthed bonus tracks).
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near lavish

Cite this Entry

“Lavish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lavish. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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