What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gratify
Example
Eating ice cream always gratifies my sweet tooth. [gratifies: verb]
Example
The manager was gratified to see the positive feedback from customers. [gratified: adjective]
indulge
Example
I like to indulge in a bubble bath after a long day at work. [indulge: verb]
Example
She felt guilty for indulging in too much chocolate cake. [indulging: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gratify is more commonly used than indulge in everyday language. Gratify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indulge is less common and often used in the context of luxury or excess.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gratify and indulge?
Both gratify and indulge can be used in formal and informal contexts, but gratify is generally considered more formal and respectable, while indulge can have a more casual or even negative connotation.
