1
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
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Recent Examples of coddle
His whole combo — coddling yet revering — makes clear how this hopeless estate chugged along for so long.
—
Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
Increasingly, schools in California excessively coddle students by neglecting to impose penalties for late work, eliminating the possibility for a failing grade, and unlimited opportunities to redo exams and assignments.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Goetz understood this disorder not as the product of scant civic resources or state retreat but rather as the result of liberal misrule—do-gooder bureaucrats, failed social programs, and a city that had coddled the undeserving and the criminal.
—Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Then, in Los Angeles earlier this month, his locks were changed and the actor is now in need of a new permanent home to hang his designer cowboy hat and coddle his pets.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coddle
Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2026
Increasingly, schools in California excessively coddle students by neglecting to impose penalties for late work, eliminating the possibility for a failing grade, and unlimited opportunities to redo exams and assignments.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Goetz understood this disorder not as the product of scant civic resources or state retreat but rather as the result of liberal misrule—do-gooder bureaucrats, failed social programs, and a city that had coddled the undeserving and the criminal.
—Heather Ann Thompson, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Then, in Los Angeles earlier this month, his locks were changed and the actor is now in need of a new permanent home to hang his designer cowboy hat and coddle his pets.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coddle
Verb
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This means water from the tap should be boiled for at least five minutes before drinking.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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This makes our reality boil and bubble!—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Foods with short shelf lives, like fresh produce, dairy, and oils, spoil quickly when bought in large quantities.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
9 Apr. 2026
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Groups of players will pass through every 10 minutes or so, and since cell phones are prohibited, there are no distractions – nothing can spoil the view.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Toss it with just-tender asparagus (poached for just a few minutes then shocked in an ice bath).—
Deputy Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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In 2025, Meta went on a AI hiring spree, poaching top executives from rival companies.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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As the mixture of andouille sausage, tiny yellow potatoes, and fresh green beans stew together in a buttery Cajun-ranch broth, the whole thing starts to look like a swamp at low tide, hence the name.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jordan, an energetic 2-year-old hound mix, was nursed back to health and properly trained at the shelter after he was found with a shock collar embedded into his neck over a year ago.—
Amanda Rosa
April 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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The final conversation of the episode really brings us full circle when Nia gets home from a long day in the car with a newborn who won’t nurse.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Season 2 of the Netflix iteration dropped all nine of its episodes on April 10, with early promises to stay faithful evaporating as new attractions emerged and simmering resentments boiled over.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
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First printed in our March 2006 issue, the soup is lightly simmered, then blended until completely smooth.—
Selma Brown Morrow,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are self-pampering add-ons too, like scheduling an in-room Swedish and deep-tissue massage, or elevating your sleep with a personalized turndown service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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On a recent flight, I was pampered with five windows plus a separate armchair and chaise-style sofa that combine to form what the airline bills as the longest seat in commercial aviation.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coddle. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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