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overindulgent

overindulgent

1 7.0
Giving someone, especially a child, too many things or too much freedom
  • adjective
  • /ˌoʊvərɪnˈdʌldʒənt/
translation icon : excesivamente indulgente
  • The rules for behavior with youth were slightly more relaxed in that less concern was shown over spoiling them with overindulgent demeanor and carriage.
  • overindulgent parents

Instead they were just really spoiled, really overindulgent children never were taught limits or they were just the overindulged golden child.

Examples

  • The whole thing about the barbecue was a little overindulgent regarding the whole "Let's be friends" bit, but I think Anderson just wanted it to be over too.

    Blog text (3)
  • Her parents would probably be overeager and overindulgent; some powerful, attractive couple who spent entirely too much time, effort, and money on their little darling.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Overindulgent fathers, that's what I put it down to.

  • This notion enshrined clear codes of honorable, often more frugal, consumption based on self-examination of whether one needed something or was being overindulgent.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Many children become spoiled when raised by overindulgent parents who give them everything they want.

  • The overindulgent grandmother couldn't say no to her grandchildren, often buying them expensive gifts.

  • His overindulgent attitude towards dessert led to weight gain and health problems.

Synonyms

indulgent
vsoverindulgent
36 6.1

Willing to let someone have what they want, even if it is not good for them

allows too much, especially for children, making the allowance clearly excessive
too-generous
vsoverindulgent
11 5.1

Giving more help or money than is needed

centers on allowing excess, not only giving more things or money
overgenerous
vsoverindulgent
1 6.1

Giving more than is fair or needed

focuses on permitting excessive wants or behaviour rather than material giving

Antonyms

359 3.2

Not allowing any exceptions and requiring rules to be followed exactly

10 4.2

Acting in a controlled, orderly way and following rules because of training or self-control

How Indulgent

overindulgent
1 7.0
indulgent
36 6.1
lenient
32 4.4

Surface Forms

overindulgent positive

Morphology

overindulgent = indulgent (transparent) = over + indulgent

The meaning is clearly derived from 'indulgent' with the addition of the prefix 'over' indicating excess.

Etymology

The word overindulgent combines over- meaning 'too much' and indulgent, from indulge meaning 'to give in to someone's wishes'. So, an overindulgent person lets someone have too much, like a parent who gives a child too many sweets, which is why the word means 'excessively indulgent'.