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overindulgence

overindulgence

2 6.1
Doing too much of something enjoyable, often food or treats, that causes harm
  • noun
  • /ˌoʊvərɪnˈdʌldʒəns/
translation icon : exceso
  • The first section of the book is both fascinating and tragic, as so many lives are lost to overindulgence.

Examples

  • After the holiday feast, I regretted my overindulgence in desserts and rich foods.

  • Thus, the consequences of overindulgence are emotional and spiritual as well as physical.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The increasing divorce rate, coupled with guilt about working, compounds the overindulgence factor with children.

    Blog text (25)
  • Pollock warned him about overindulgence and urged him to keep the teaching holy and separate from all the rest.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • To avoid overindulgence that can be hard on the waistline, a few easy substitutions can make all the difference.

    Blog text (18)
  • Instead, his later remarks on the issue focused on misbehavior by visiting Indians after overindulgence in rum.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The essay "On Moderation" (I, 30), for example, begins by warning us against overindulgence in even respectable and virtuous activities.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Many people struggle with overindulgence during festive seasons, often leading to weight gain.

  • His overindulgence in video games left him with little time for studying.

Synonyms

excess
vsoverindulgence
62 4.4

Doing something too much, often in an unhealthy or wrong way

limits the meaning to pleasures and appetites rather than to all actions
indulgence
vsoverindulgence
24 6.0

A small pleasure you allow yourself, often without much self-control

is specifically about enjoyment taken to an excessive degree
gluttony
vsoverindulgence
15 7.6

A habit of eating much more food or drink than your body needs

is broader and covers excess in many pleasures beyond food and drink
self-indulgence
vsoverindulgence
6 6.8

Giving yourself too much pleasure or comfort

focuses on excess in pleasure and appetites more generally
overconsumption
vsoverindulgence
3 4.9

Using more food, goods, or natural resources than you need causes harm

is about excessive pleasure and appetites rather than mere quantity used
intemperance
vsoverindulgence
  • Formal
1 9.1

Not having control over what you do, especially eating or drinking too much

is broader, applying to excess in any pleasure or appetite
excessiveness
vsoverindulgence
1 6.2

The state of having more than is needed

is focused on excessive enjoyment of pleasures and appetites specifically
voraciousness
vsoverindulgence
1 7.9

A very strong desire for more food, money or success

is about excessive enjoyment generally, not only insatiable desire
intemperateness
vsoverindulgence
  • Formal
9.9

Lack of self-control that makes someone overdo things like eating or drinking

centers on excessive enjoyment rather than general loss of control
immoderateness
vsoverindulgence
9.9

A way of behaving that is too much

highlights excess specifically in pleasurable appetites rather than any domain
overmuchness
vsoverindulgence
  • Archaic
9.9

A state of being more than is needed or wanted

concerns too much enjoyment of pleasure or appetite rather than any surplus

Antonyms

53 3.3

Being able to stop yourself from acting on strong feelings or wants when it is hard

47 3.5

Keeping actions or feelings within reasonable limits

How Indulgent

binge
53 5.6
overindulgence
2 6.1
indulgence
24 6.0
restraint
122 4.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

overindulgence = overindulge (transparent) = over + indulge + ence

The noun is formed by adding the suffix '-ence' to the verb 'overindulge'; the meaning 'state of indulging excessively' follows directly from 'over-' + 'indulge'.

Etymology

The word overindulgence combines over- meaning 'too much' and indulge meaning 'to allow yourself pleasure or to give in to a want'. So, overindulgence is when someone gives in to pleasures too much, like eating or spending more than is healthy.