coddle
9 synonyms for coddle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To treat someone with excessive care, protection, or indulgence.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use coddle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
coddle a child
coddled eggs
Etymology
Probably from "caudle," an old word for a warm, comforting drink given to invalids — the sense of gentle care carried over into both the pampering and cooking meanings.
Full origin of coddle →Frequently asked questions
What does “coddle” mean?
The word “coddle” means to treat someone with excessive care, protection, or indulgence. In plain terms, to spoil someone with too much care, or to cook something gently in barely-simmering water.
How do you pronounce “coddle”?
“Coddle” is pronounced KOD-uhl (/ˈkɑ.dəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “coddle” in a sentence?
Here is “coddle” used in a sentence: “His parents coddled him well into adulthood.”
What is another word for “coddle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “coddle” include pamper, posset and spoil.
What part of speech is “coddle”?
“Coddle” is a verb.
How many meanings does “coddle” have?
“Coddle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to treat someone with excessive care, protection, or indulgence.
