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 Serrano comes across as someone with no inclination to coddle elite students. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026 Unlike humans, digital creations don’t need to be pampered, fed or emotionally coddled. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026 They shouldn’t be coddled; instead, they should be challenged. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 24 June 2026 This lifestyle caused many citizens to accuse the military of coddling the enemy. — Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 20 June 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
  • Plus, the sauce cooks while the pasta boils, putting this firmly in weeknight-dinner territory.
    — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
  • A lot of uncertainty remains in the lift capacity of Starship, as well as in how much cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen will boil off in orbit and how efficient the process of transferring propellants from one ship to another will be.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • There has been no more satisfying slap in cinema this year than the one Erika lands on a smug German actor, leading to a wicked punchline that shouldn’t be spoiled.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Anthony Edwards hit nine 3-pointers and scored 45 points to join an elite club; LaMelo Ball scored 21 in his Minnesota debut, and the Timberwolves spoiled Giannis Antetokounmpo's first game with Miami by beating the Heat 131-106 on Wednesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • Macron has also successfully poached multiple party members to serve in his Cabinet, blurring the relationship further.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ellison, who poached Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz to serve as co-CEO, could use Musk’s capital to bolster the company’s cost-cutting and technological efforts.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of poach
Verb
  • As European society indulges its whims, the continent hurtles unthinkingly toward a devastating war.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The show is based on Rachel Reid’s bestsellers about two hockey players, one Canadian, one Russian, who indulge a private love affair.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of indulge
Verb
  • Meanwhile, in the background, favorable sentiments about statement pieces have been stewing.
    — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Philadelphia is fresh off a one-point loss in the final seconds and spent their entire trip back from London stewing over it — while the Panthers enjoyed a bye week.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • Joeys will leave the pouch at about 235 days old, but will continue to nurse until about 1-year-old, sometimes longer.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Saints could be without star quarterback Brailon Davis who’s nursing an injury, but backup Bodie Brown has stepped in and completed 32 of 45 for 454 yards and seven touchdowns in the past two games.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of nurse
Verb
  • Sudan’s war began in April 2023, when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in Khartoum and spread across the country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Continue to simmer until the sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes more.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • At one point luxury travel meant being able to be anywhere and have the comforts of your office—yachts and Aman resorts offer satellite service and Wi-Fi so that you can be pampered but still take a meeting or be active in the family group chat.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For all its glamour, Concorde offered more prestige than pampering.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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