coddle

verb

ˈkä-dᵊl How to pronounce coddle (audio)
Definition of coddlenext
1
as in to boil
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam a hearty, traditional breakfast that included coddled eggs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to spoil
to treat with great or excessive care accused the judiciary of coddling criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 coddle This lifestyle caused many citizens to accuse the military of coddling the enemy. — Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026 She has been coddled and cloistered within her city, but the spreading vegetation interferes with that way of life. — Hannah Gold, New Yorker, 17 June 2026 Still, James Bond media can't coddle our fears. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026 Viewed harshly, Hacks is less a great Hollywood comedy than a deeply coddling fantasy, but there’s also a softer, more interesting way to read it. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for coddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coddle
  1. boil
  2. spoil
  3. poach
  4. indulge
  5. stew
  6. nurse
  7. simmer
  8. pamper
Verb
  • Stir into the boiling milk and boil on low heat until thick, stirring all the time.
    — David Morgan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • To counteract that, the oil needs to be heated so that when the water inevitably hits it, the water will boil and evaporate right away.
    — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • The Yankees, meanwhile, didn’t score again after Grisham’s homer, continuing an extended stretch that has seen the Bombers’ lifeless lineup repeatedly spoil stellar starting pitching.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Lake Nona turns the ball over on downs after a bad snap spoiled what looked like a promising drive.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • In retrospect, Miami might have opted for the wrong developmental quarterbacks in Miller (poached by the previous regime) and since jettisoned Mark Gronowski.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In 1999, the now-defunct national broadcaster Raycom poached McDonnell to its base in Montgomery, Alabama, and installed her as vice president of programming.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of poach
Verb
  • Written to indulge superfans, the movie also makes sure to not lose the general audience.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Whether the race ever happens, the idea is pure Shaq, a celebrity who's renowned for indulging his passions, of which cars are near the top of the list.
    — Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of indulge
Verb
  • Idda takes an epic approach to unearthing the packed layers of a stewing friendship.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 21 July 2026
  • Roasting, stewing, baking—those are all great ways to make okra.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • With Chamarri Conner nursing a knee injury, Jaden Hicks and Alohi Gilman were stationed as the top safeties.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Tight ends show some promise Tight ends have gotten off to a quiet start in training camp, partly because of the injuries Greg Dulcich and Ben Sims were nursing.
    — Omar Kelly August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of nurse
Verb
  • Price pressures persist Wednesday’s report also showed that some underlying price pressures continue to simmer.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The long-simmering feud between two former reality stars came to a boil during a joint podcast interview.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • The vintage architecture of the 130-year-old hotel is a pastiche of Gothic Revival turrets and arches, a stone castle masquerading as what is arguably the world's most luxurious and pampering ski hotel.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Luxury hotels in Miami are competing to pamper guests’ dogs with gourmet menus, spa treatments and canine concierges.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of pamper

Browse Nearby Words

codas
coddle
coddled
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Cite this Entry

“Coddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coddle. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on coddle

Nglish: Translation of coddle for Spanish Speakers

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