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
  • Officials say all customers in Conyers or north of I-20 should boil all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or preparing food.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Consider the many different editions of New York Yankees dynasties that boiled the blood of fans across America.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • As Tom Holland’s summer blockbusters take over the big screen, X has spoiled yet another one of the actor’s theatrical releases.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 July 2026
  • Ballot spoiling was the subject of a 2022 lawsuit brought by a Republican group.
    — Scott Bauer, Twin Cities, 29 July 2026
Definition of spoil
Verb
  • Only seven have made more than 20 first-team appearances for the club that poached them, with 47 having never played a single minute for the poacher club.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Even if eggs are boiled or poached, pairing them with healthy fats like avocado or nuts can provide the fat needed to support vitamin D absorption.
    — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 26 July 2026
Definition of poach
Verb
  • The framework gained popularity as systems of education seemed to over-indulge rote memorization.
    — James Davis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Sure, the Russo brothers lay on the quips and fan service a little thick, but after 11 years and 21 movies, they’re allowed to indulge.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 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
  • Charlie started coming in even after the work was done to nurse a Coke at the bar and stare at Perez, who was more than 20 years his junior.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • Her eldest son moved in during the pandemic and nursed the orchard’s last remaining tree back to health.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026
Definition of nurse
Verb
  • The incident also brought months of simmering cybersecurity fears to a head, demonstrating how easily AI agents could cause immense damage, while making the case for open models in the era of skyrocketing token costs.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In the kitchen, two 10-gallon vats of the restaurant’s secret blend of white melting cheese and spices simmer continuously.
    — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • 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
  • Concierge teams pamper the property in the owner’s absence while engineers resolve maintenance issues before owners arrive.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 31 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on coddle

Nglish: Translation of coddle for Spanish Speakers

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