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 heat won’t be the only thing spoiling New Yorkers’ fun in the sun this weekend.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Without spoiling too much, there is a detour on this treasure hunt that leads Diarra and company into Tubi movie situation.
    — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • Farms have expanded near the park and conflict between people and elephants remains the second leading cause of deaths after poaching, according to Kenya’s National Elephant Plan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In what many observers considered a warning shot, the company last month sued Amazon for allegedly poaching HBO marketing executive Pia Barlow.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of poach
Verb
  • Here was a doctor borrowing the language of a fast food brand while encouraging people not to fear indulging.
    — Karin Eldor, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In Salzburg, Dudamel indulged the Vienna Philharmonic’s incomparable lushness, those plush strings, glowing winds, golden brass, voluminous timpani.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 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
  • The two met before the actor underwent heart surgery in 2009, and Schneider, a graphic designer, reportedly helped nurse the star back to health following his procedure.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Uncle Jimmy hung back by the drippy windows at the rear of the kitchen nursing a Schlitz.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 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
  • 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
  • The extraordinary service will so pamper you that your return to real life may be a rough awakening.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of coddle for Spanish Speakers

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