Synonyms of coddling

coddling 1 of 2

noun

as in pampering

Related Words

• pampering
• babying
• concern
• consideration
• thoughtfulness
• kindness
• considerateness
• solicitude
• care
• carefulness
• solicitousness
• lovingness

Dissimilar Words

• carelessness
• unconcern
• unkindness
• thoughtlessness
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration

coddling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of coddle

1

as in boiling

to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam

a hearty, traditional breakfast that included coddled eggs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boiling
• poaching
• stewing
• simmering
• parboiling
• steaming
• smothering
• braising
• scalding
• pressure-cooking
• fricasseeing
• reboiling

2

as in spoiling

to treat with great or excessive care

accused the judiciary of coddling criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spoiling
• indulging
• babying
• nursing
• pampering
• cosseting
• mollycoddling
• pleasing
• appeasing
• dandling
• satisfying
• mothering
• delighting
• humoring
• cockering
• wet-nursing
• catering (to)
• placating
• gratifying
• soothing
• contenting
• obliging
• pacifying
• mollifying
• gladdening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controlling
• abusing
• mistreating
• disciplining
• restraining
• manhandling
• misusing
• mishandling
• maltreating
• oppressing
• neglecting
• ill-treating
• violating
• overlooking
• slighting
• ill-using
• molesting
• harassing
• hurting
• harming
• torturing
• victimizing
• persecuting
• tormenting
• injuring
• outraging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of coddling

Noun

Scapicchio rhetorically asked of the Democrats’ continuing pampering and coddling of this monster Proctor. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

In 2023, after Silicon Valley Bank and other institutions failed and were rescued by the Fed and other government institutions, Warsh blamed the episode on the Fed's coddling of the economy. —Matt Peterson, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026

And the coddling doesn’t stop there. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026

The popularity and success of the Chiefs prior to the 2025 Super Bowl, led to countless complaints of favorable officiating and League coddling from disgruntled fans and hot take pundits. —Emil Steiner, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The intense coddling and dysfunction within the family come to a head at the end of the show opener when a drunken Paul crashes a boat, killing his best friend’s girlfriend, Mallory (Madeline Popovich), and injuring all on board. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

Avoid over-coddling; instead, use play, treats, and touch to build confidence. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025

Verb

Accordingly, accusations of coddling Communists threatened that relationship. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026

Leisure bred laziness; coddling meant spoiling. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

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

True American industrial strength rests on productivity, innovation, competition, and access to global supply chains, not on coddling producers behind walls of higher prices. —Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025

Campbell has accused the SCORE Act of disadvantaging these groups while coddling the NCAA. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025

Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores to dissolve away acne-causing debris, while coddling the skin barrier with a cocktail of ceramides and niacinamide. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

This is not about lowering expectations or coddling employees. —Ruth Oh Reitmeier, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Traditional romantic comedies often ask us to fall in love with, or at least be charmed by, Lucy or Julie, but neither film is keen on that kind of coddling. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025