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 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 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 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
  • Its stainless steel body can last for years of making pour-over coffee every morning or evening cups of hot tea, and the kettle also comes in handy to boil water fast for everyday recipes.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Roast halves cut side down rather than boiling them, since roasting concentrates the sugars and cuts moisture.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • This story spoils the plot of the film Whalefall, now out in theaters, based on Daniel Kraus‘ novel.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Dodgers left-hander had just given up the lead on Bauers’ two-run homer, spoiling what had been a stellar start Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • The filing is the latest move in a fight that began earlier this year, when Apple sued OpenAI for allegedly poaching staff who took confidential information to OpenAI’s hardware division.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Naibaho described how some villagers in Sumatra are paid up to 15 million Indonesian rupiah ($846) to poach a baby orangutan.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of poach
Verb
  • With some of his publishing money, Bernard indulged his love of vintage Japanese fashion and has a 2000s-era Tuscan house on his vision board.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Adults aren’t always used to indulging this kind of curiosity.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 20 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
  • For years, Pollock’s brother Sande had nursed him through alcoholism and breakdowns, but then Krasner stepped in.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In 2023, 32-year old Lauren Norris felt pain while nursing her youngest of three children.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of nurse
Verb
  • That was the opening gambit from Textile Exchange conference host Samata Pattinson last week, kick-starting three days of programming that said a lot about the state of sustainable fashion, and the frustrations simmering below its surface.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For this recipe, simmer them whole, with the skins on, until very tender but not falling apart.
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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