mollycoddle

²mollycoddle

verb

mollycod·dledmollycod·dling \-ˌkäd-liŋ, -ˌkä-d^əl-iŋ\

Definition of MOLLYCODDLE

transitive verb

: to treat with an excessive or absurd degree of indulgence and attention

— mol·ly·cod·dler \-ˌkäd-lər, -ˌkä-d^əl-ər\ noun

Examples of MOLLYCODDLE

1. The coach has been mollycoddling the team's star players.
2. <refused to mollycoddle her malingering son and sent him off to school>

First Known Use of MOLLYCODDLE

1864

Related to MOLLYCODDLE

Synonyms: cocker, coddle, cosset, dandle, indulge, baby, nurse, pamper, spoil, wet-nurse

Antonyms: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, manhandle, mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Related Words: cater (to), humor; content, delight, gladden, gratify, mother, oblige, please, satisfy; appease, mollify, pacify, placate, soothe

Near Antonyms: control, discipline, restrain; oppress; neglect, overlook, slight; molest, outrage, violate; harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture, victimize

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See Synonym Discussion at indulge