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 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 Rose water brings with it soothing properties and a lovely scent, as ultrafine silica powder and jojoba beads very softly help break up flakes to reveal petal-soft skin that feels pampered, not perturbed. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 Those looking to have the ultimate pampering experience will be delighted by the product’s light, clean scent, reminiscent of a trip to the spa. Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025 Guests can sample new products, attend workshops, enjoy fashion shows or get pampered with on-the-spot makeovers. Tiffani Jackson Skinner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pamper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pamper
Verb
  • Arsenal host Chelsea in the coming weeks, a two-pronged opportunity for both spoiling and redemption.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Furthermore, exposure to moisture or extreme temperatures (common in laundry rooms) can cause powdered detergents to harden and liquid detergents to spoil.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My Rimowa cabin carry-on has been a reliable favorite for years—surprisingly spacious and perfect for indulging my overpacking tendencies.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
  • To tell the jokes that make others groan, but to do it wholeheartedly and keep the faith that there are people out there — their people — who will not only indulge, but truly adore, their senses of humor.
    Audrey Goldberg Ruoff, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Prescott completed 31 of 40 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, all while his best playmaker in receiver CeeDee Lamb wore a walking boot on the sideline to nurse a high-ankle injury.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Before the end of the third quarter, Jackson was out of the game, nursing a hamstring according to the broadcast, and Cooper Rush, the former Dallas Cowboys’ backup, finished the game.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pamper. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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