coddle

[ kod-l ]

/ ˈkɒd l /

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See synonyms for: coddle / coddling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), cod·dled, cod·dling.

to treat tenderly; nurse or tend indulgently; pamper: to coddle children when they're sick.

to cook (eggs, fruit, etc.) in water that is just below the boiling point; cook gently.

OTHER WORDS FOR coddle

1 indulge, baby, humor, spoil.

See synonyms for coddle on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CUDDLE UP! A COZY QUIZ ON FALL WORDS HAS ARRIVED

If autumn is your ideal season, spice up your repertoire of "fall" vocabulary with this quiz on some warm and vivid descriptive words for the season.

Question 1 of 10

Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?

crisp

crepitate

fuscous

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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Origin of coddle

1590–1600; variant of caudle, v. use of caudle

OTHER WORDS FROM coddle

coddler, nounun·cod·dled, adjective

Words nearby coddle

cod, coda, cod-act, co-day, codder, coddle, code, code blue, code book, codec, codeclination

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use coddle in a sentence

We cannot continue to coddle those who would put themselves and the rest of us in danger.
Opinion | Vaccine mandates — in D.C., LGBTQ bars lead the way|Peter Rosenstein|August 11, 2021|Washington Blade
You get all this nonsense about “These kids are coddled,” but as a professor, I see these kids stand up and speak out against us.
How to be a feminist dad|Amy Joyce|June 17, 2021|Washington Post
Higher education should challenge students, not coddle them by indulging their pre-formed biases and preferences.
Pulling the Plug on English Departments|David Masciotra|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They think they will irreparably damage them, so instead of raising expectations, they coddle them.
Roland Martin: America, You Can’t Handle the Truth!|Roland S. Martin|January 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And regulators who coddle Wall Street have to worry more about becoming props in an Elizabeth Warren YouTube video gone viral.
Rising Left in the Democratic Party Killed Larry Summers' Fed Chair Chances|Peter Beinart|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She is working on a book called American Coddle , about America's culture of entitlement.
Fashion's Hottest Playboy|Alexandra Wolfe|September 10, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Mam' Sarah was very tall, and she had the best lap in the world to coddle down in, Roberta thought.
That Old-Time Child, Roberta|Sophie Fox Sea
“You coddle him,” said Kingsnorth, with a short bitter laugh.
The Locusts' Years|Mary Helen Fee
Poor mammy will mourn over me and coddle me up as if I'd been to the wars.
Spinning-Wheel Stories|Louisa May Alcott
And so we left them alone awhile, to coddle over their raptures.
Lorna Doone|R. D. Blackmore
A man was looked on as a milk-sop and a Molly Coddle, that would not take his mug of ale, and be merry with his comrades.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 2, July, 1850.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for coddle

coddle

/ (ˈkɒdəl) /

verb (tr)

to treat with indulgence

to cook (something, esp eggs) in water just below the boiling point

noun

Irish dialect stew made from ham and bacon scraps

Derived forms of coddle

coddler, noun

Word Origin for coddle

C16: of obscure origin; perhaps related to caudle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

coddle

OTHER WORDS FOR coddle

Origin of coddle

OTHER WORDS FROM coddle

Words nearby coddle

Words related to coddle

How to use coddle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coddle

Derived forms of coddle

Word Origin for coddle