extravagance
noun
ex·trav·a·gance
ik-ˈstra-vi-gən(t)s 
1
a
: an instance of excess or prodigality
specifically
: an excessive outlay of money
b
: something extravagant
a new car is an extravagance we can't afford
2
: the quality or fact of being extravagant
the extravagance of the decorations
Synonyms
Examples of extravagance in a Sentence
The reorganization of the department was aimed at reducing extravagance.
That coat is an extravagance that you can't afford.
Going to the play will be our one extravagance for this vacation.
I was shocked by the extravagance of their lifestyle.
The church is known for the extravagance of its architecture.
Recent Examples on the Web
Villa Eugénie, the lavish estate named after his wife, still rises conspicuously from a bluff overlooking the main beach: a testament to how imperial extravagance turned what was once a remote Basque whaling village into a haven for European high society.
—
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2024
Following the gala, celebrities gather once again to indulge in another round of extravagance behind the scenes.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 May 2024
How their historically conservative, wet-blanket sensibilities mesh with the voting public's love of shiny glittery fiery extravagance is a big part of what makes Eurovision so damn compelling and unpredictable.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 9 May 2024
But in recent weeks, TMZ and Page Six have reported that Spears has been freely spending money from her $60 million fortune, splurging on lavish vacations and other extravagances.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024
Credit goes to the production staff who replicated the plain brown suit (although the show’s appears more burgundy) and fur cap that Franklin consciously chose to symbolize American republicanism in the face of French extravagance.
—Craig Bruce Smith, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Don’t let extravagance, excess and overreacting become your downfalls.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Consumers are spending on essentials and extravagances alike, suggesting people don’t fear trouble ahead.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
But what started out as a satire of ’80s greed and extravagance, with a budget that swelled to nearly $50 million, became a cautionary tale instead.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2024
Following the gala, celebrities gather once again to indulge in another round of extravagance behind the scenes.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 May 2024
How their historically conservative, wet-blanket sensibilities mesh with the voting public's love of shiny glittery fiery extravagance is a big part of what makes Eurovision so damn compelling and unpredictable.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 9 May 2024
But in recent weeks, TMZ and Page Six have reported that Spears has been freely spending money from her $60 million fortune, splurging on lavish vacations and other extravagances.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024
Credit goes to the production staff who replicated the plain brown suit (although the show’s appears more burgundy) and fur cap that Franklin consciously chose to symbolize American republicanism in the face of French extravagance.
—Craig Bruce Smith, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Don’t let extravagance, excess and overreacting become your downfalls.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Consumers are spending on essentials and extravagances alike, suggesting people don’t fear trouble ahead.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
But what started out as a satire of ’80s greed and extravagance, with a budget that swelled to nearly $50 million, became a cautionary tale instead.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extravagance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near extravagance
Cite this Entry
“Extravagance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extravagance. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
extravagance
noun
ex·trav·a·gance
ik-ˈstrav-i-gən(t)s
1
a
: the wasteful or careless spending of money
b
: something that is extravagant
2
: the quality or fact of being extravagant
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