pamper

verb

pam·​per ˈpam-pər 

pampered; pampering ˈpam-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to treat with extreme or excessive care and attention

pampered their guests

pamper a pet

b

: gratify, humor

enabled him to pamper his wanderlust

—New Yorker

2

archaic : to cram with rich food : glut

pamperer

ˈpam-pər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• baby
• cocker
• coddle
• cosset
• dandle
• indulge
• mollycoddle
• nurse
• spoil
• wet-nurse

Choose the Right Synonym for pamper

indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings.

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Once nestled under plush blankets, prepare to be pampered for hours with her signature Lift, Sculpt, and Slap technique. —Annie Blay, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024

With a fresh name, Fiona was pampered in her foster home. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Guests insistent on pampering in the property can arrange in-room massages and aromatherapy, or use the small but well-equipped gym. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Giving birth is believed to disturb the body’s equilibrium, so new mothers traditionally engage in zuo yue zi, or thirty to forty days of rest at home, pampered by family. —Clarissa Wei, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2024

Passengers have been unknowingly pampered by ride-share customs that adjust to their needs and bend the rules. —Corina Knoll, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Afterward, retreat to the 80,000-square-foot spa for some pampering, soak up the sun by one of the sparkling swimming pools, or sit down for a celebratory meal at one of several popular eateries like Carbone or Catch. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024

And like all Kimpton hotels, pets are not only welcome, they’re pampered here — a real plus for Kimpton as a whole. —Kim Westerman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Long known for being a more refined sister to wilder spots like Miami, this beach town on a barrier island boasts super-clear waters, some of the state’s best shopping, and hotels that are perfect for a long weekend of pampering. —Juliet Izon, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably of Dutch origin; akin to Dutch dialect pamperen to pamper

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

pamper

verb

pam·​per ˈpam-pər 

pampered; pampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to treat with too much care and attention