What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wallowing
Example
After her breakup, she spent the whole weekend wallowing in self-pity. [wallowing: verb]
Example
The elephant was wallowing in the mud to cool off on a hot day. [wallowing: gerund or present participle]
indulge
Example
I like to indulge in a piece of chocolate after dinner. [indulge: verb]
Example
She indulged her children by letting them stay up late to watch a movie. [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 wallowing and indulge?
Both wallow and indulge are informal verbs that are suitable for casual conversations or writing. However, indulge can be used in more formal contexts, such as business or academic writing, while wallow is less appropriate for formal situations.
