Definition of babynext
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as in complainer
a person who makes frequent complaints usually about little things don't be such a baby—the shot didn't hurt that much

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

baby

2 of 3

verb

baby

3 of 3

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb baby contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of baby are humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

When might humor be a better fit than baby?

The synonyms humor and baby are sometimes interchangeable, but humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

When can indulge be used instead of baby?

The words indulge and baby can be used in similar contexts, but indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

Where would mollycoddle be a reasonable alternative to baby?

The words mollycoddle and baby are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

In what contexts can pamper take the place of baby?

In some situations, the words pamper and baby are roughly equivalent. However, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When would spoil be a good substitute for baby?

The meanings of spoil and baby largely overlap; however, spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of baby
Noun
Owens explained that baby copperhead bites — and copperhead bites in general — are rare. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026 No decision fatigue or awkward conversations to be had; the more, the merrier, baby! Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Verb
So the big question now is, which type of football will baby Gianna grow up to play, if at all? Sari Hitchins, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025 Each new piece was crafted to be simple, functional, and beautiful, giving parents peace of mind and babies a nurturing space to grow. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for baby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baby
Noun
  • Harry's decision comes amid an ongoing security fiasco concerning the safety of Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • Would her child be buried in a separate part of the cemetery without the appropriate eulogies?
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Police release video of the person racing across the roof of the building from where authorities say the shot was fired, dropping down to the ground and walking off campus.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Others may miss the warmth of a person who can read the room, handle a strange request or help when something goes wrong.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Strong internal relationships, institutional credibility, leadership opportunities, and career growth often come more easily inside organizations where people know your value and are invested in your success.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • While the administration lost its bid this week to do away with birthright citizenship by executive order, its strategy has, in large part, been a success.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Instead of pushing through pain and not speaking up for fear they'll be labeled weak or a complainer, this generation is more inclined to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and address the issue through the proper resources.
    Sarah Scott, Parents, 10 June 2026
  • However, the Lakers are complainers to begin with and have always gotten a favorable whistle.
    David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Unluckily, Alys, freshly alienated by Daemon, arrives just in time to nurse the enemy of her enemy back to health.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • They are set to be without right-back Reece James, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
    The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Making mini lava cakes is fussy, but this large format variation is as easy as can be.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • This Staud tote proves the jelly bag trend works beyond mini bags and novelty shapes.
    Sanika Achrekar, Glamour, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • For example, in 2011, the FDA warned parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers not to feed SimplyThick, a thickening gel, to premature infants fitting a particular profile.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The median cost for full-time care for an infant in Los Angeles County was $1,209 a month at a family child-care home and $1,818 a month at a center in 2024, according to data from the California Budget & Policy Center.
    Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Witnesses expressed shock over the incident, with one man arriving to his Walmart to shop and finding the parking lot covered in crime scene tape.
    Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • But some have faced pushback, including when two Boise men faced the wrath of their homeowners association for replacing their grass with turf, in part to save water.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baby. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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