spoon-feed

verb

spoon-fed ˈspün-ˌfed How to pronounce spoon-feed (audio) ; spoon-feeding

transitive verb

1
: to feed by means of a spoon
2
a
: to present (information) so completely as to preclude independent thought
spoon-feed material to students
b
: to present information to in this manner

Examples of spoon-feed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At Coral Reef in EPCOT, my son spoon-fed himself chicken noodle soup that was on the menu while overlooking the aquarium. Leigh Scheps, Parents, 21 July 2025 To name the new detention center in the Everglades Alligator Alcatraz is to spoon-feed the media a provocative label that sounds great as a lead-in to the local news or clickbait for online sources. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025 The savvy celebrity on the business end of the jockeying just spoon-feeds you their evolution. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025 The season has traded both subtlety and ambiguity for clear explanations spelled out and spoon-fed. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 College coaches line up their offenses on the ball and spoon-feed plays from the sideline. Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 As a result, the stubborn pup demands to be spoon-fed. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 Instead of spoon-feeding solutions, guide your mentees to discover their own specific answers. Jay Garcia, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The broadcasters are spoon-fed a talking point while noting that the Bears have lost nine games in a row, including all three under interim coach Thomas Brown. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoon-feed was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spoon-feed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoon-feed. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

spoon-feed

verb
ˈspün-ˌfēd
spoon-fed
-ˌfed
; spoon-feeding
: to feed by means of a spoon

More from Merriam-Webster on spoon-feed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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