Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pamper contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pamper are baby, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When is baby a more appropriate choice than pamper?

The meanings of baby and pamper largely overlap; however, baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

Where would humor be a reasonable alternative to pamper?

While the synonyms humor and pamper are close in meaning, humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

When can indulge be used instead of pamper?

While in some cases nearly identical to pamper, indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

When might mollycoddle be a better fit than pamper?

Although the words mollycoddle and pamper have much in common, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

When is it sensible to use spoil instead of pamper?

The synonyms spoil and pamper are sometimes interchangeable, but spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

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 pamper Hydration is key to more youthful-looking skin, and taking a little bit of time out of your evening to pamper yourself with a hydrating cream can do wonders the next morning. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025 Infused with the brand’s signature scent—a warm, sophisticated blend of amber, musk, and florals—this shampoo not only cleanses but also pampers the senses. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025 They will also be pampered in a variety of opulent living areas including movie theater, gym. Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Yet the train of military vehicles that appeared was remarkably tame, a cavalcade of superannuated weapons platforms serving as a reminder of the degree to which the military-industrial complex, glutted with money and pampered by Congress, has run out of new ideas. Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pamper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pamper
Verb
  • Pluribus crackles with terrific comic tension as Carol wakes up next to her dead partner, filled with grief yet spoiling for a fight.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Without spoiling too much, the two-minute clip finds Carol weathering ample concern for her less-than-cheery demeanor.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Rather than shaming you for your preferences, Sohm will indulge your desires.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Here in the heart of the Alps, Rosita, who passed away in January, fully indulged her passion for mushrooms and foraging.
    Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The rookie quarterback continues to nurse a back injury.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • One recalled that the mom of an Ole Miss first-year stayed in the family’s new campus-adjacent apartment last fall to provide logistical and moral support during sorority rush, lending her daughter a hand in fixing hair or nursing a hangover.
    Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pamper. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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