indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.
indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse
pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.
pampered by the amenities of modern living
humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.
humored him by letting him tell the story
spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.
foolish parents spoil their children
baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.
babying students by grading too easily
mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.
refused to mollycoddle her malingering son
Examples of pamper in a Sentence
They really pamper their guests at that hotel.
She pampered herself with a day at the spa.
He was pampered all his life and doesn't know how to function in the real world.
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Yachts have several stewards whose primary duty is to pamper, one chef cooking for a small group, the ability to select menus ahead of time, and the freedom to choose destinations.—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 13 July 2025 Many pet owners love to pamper and praise their animal companions, and there are small business owners who are quick to oblige.—Erin Federigan, Mercury News, 2 July 2025 Axel, a soon to be 5-year-old pitbull vizsla mix in Missouri, found a new friend in his elderly neighbor George Carr, who takes care of him and pampers him when his owners are away at work.—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 June 2025 After weeks of pampering, watering, and staking, dahlia flowers begin to emerge in summer.—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pamper
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, probably of Dutch origin; akin to Dutch dialect pamperen to pamper
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