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 Yachts have several stewards whose primary duty is to pamper, one chef cooking for a small group, the ability to select menus ahead of time, and the freedom to choose destinations. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 13 July 2025 Many pet owners love to pamper and praise their animal companions, and there are small business owners who are quick to oblige. Erin Federigan, Mercury News, 2 July 2025 Axel, a soon to be 5-year-old pitbull vizsla mix in Missouri, found a new friend in his elderly neighbor George Carr, who takes care of him and pampers him when his owners are away at work. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 June 2025 After weeks of pampering, watering, and staking, dahlia flowers begin to emerge in summer. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pamper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pamper
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • The second means happiness as having what’s necessary, or perhaps indulging a bit.
    Sebastian Purcell August 18, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025
  • This once-in-a-lifetime trip will offer a truly specialized and authentic experience of the Adriatic Coast, alternately moving at breakneck speed via Starr Luxury’s vehicles and slowing down so folks can take time to relax, indulge, and soak in the experience.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The reasoning is mainly due to the team’s primary second-option receiver, Chris Godwin, nursing an ankle injury from last season that will likely lead to him missing 2025 regular-season time.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Herons did it even with Lionel Messi out nursing a right thigh injury.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pamper. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pamper

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