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
  • Using a tea kettle also reduces the risk of spilling or splashing boiling water on yourself.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
  • There are grilled or sautéed shrimp dishes, a crispy tilapia served with potato chips, and of course, their shrimp boil with corn, potatoes and sausage in a garlic butter or spicy sauce.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • Oil threatens to spoil the market rally … again The Iran war returned to Wall Street's doorstep last week, illustrating the fragility of the interim peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 11 July 2026
  • Nneka Ogwumike had 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists and the Los Angeles Sparks spoiled Caitlin Clark’s return, beating the Indiana Fever 106-92 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • Front Office Sports reported in April that firms were offering seven-figures in annual compensation to poach top lawyers, with some packages exceeded $10 million.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 13 July 2026
  • OpenAI has aggressively poached top current and former Apple leadership and engineering talent, primarily to build a dedicated hardware division.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of poach
Verb
  • Judy Davis stars as Sybylla, a rebellious young woman in 19th century Australia who longs to be a writer, but her traditionalist parents refuse to indulge those dreams, sending her to board with her wealthy grandmother instead.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
  • Within the home, the dogs were indulged to an unusual degree, holding status as nearly full members of the family.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of indulge
Verb
  • Roasting, stewing, baking—those are all great ways to make okra.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
  • Just as Phillies fans will scream about my snub of Marsh, Dodgers fans will stew over my omission of Wrobleski, especially when Wheeler did not return from thoracic outlet surgery until April 25.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • The teen has only one goal while putting 10 shots on target after coming into this World Cup still nursing a left hamstring issue.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • More important, Tubbs detected in Ferguson someone who, under the feral exterior, shared his affection for hard work and heterodox thinking and quietly nursed a desire to become part of something larger than himself.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of nurse
Verb
  • The versatile workhorse is ideal for a variety of cooking needs, like braising short ribs, simmering soups, roasting whole chickens, and slow-cooking lentils.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026
  • This resentment has been simmering for a year, one player said.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • An emphasis on wellness means not only pampering spa treatments but advanced health tech, movement, and meditation sessions over an entire floor.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • In the Concierge collection of suites on Norwegian Joy, you will also be pampered with spacious accommodations, concierge service, and private dining.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Definition of pamper

Browse Nearby Words

codas
coddle
coddled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coddle. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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