What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wallow
Example
After the breakup, she wallowed in self-pity for weeks. [wallowed: past tense]
Example
The elephant wallowed in the mud to cool off on a hot day. [wallowed: verb]
indulge
Example
I like to indulge in a bubble bath after a long day at work. [indulge: verb]
Example
She indulged her children with ice cream after dinner. [indulged: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indulge is more commonly used than wallow in everyday language. Indulge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wallow is less common and often used in a negative context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wallow and indulge?
Both wallow and indulge can be used in informal or formal contexts, but indulge is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
