coddled

Treated too gently

Coddled describes someone treated with excessive care or protection, shielded from difficulty or discomfort: coddled children who can't handle criticism, the coddled rich.

The word carries disapproval—coddling produces weakness.

A coddled egg is gently cooked in water just below boiling, the culinary sense from which the metaphor extends.

pampered

spoiled

Ruined or overindulged

indulgedYielded to desire
cossetedOverprotected and indulged
babiedTreated with excessive care

fussed over · waited on · overindulged · petted · mollycoddled · favored · cherished · privileged · sheltered · cushioned

cooking

poached

Illegally hunted or taken

simmeredCooked at low heat
soft-boiledBriefly cooked, yolk liquid
steamedHeated by vapor

warm · tender · delicate · braised · blanched · scalded · parboiled · buttered · herbed · seasoned

overprotected

sheltered

Kept safe from harm

smotheredDeprived of air
helicopterRotary-wing aircraft
hoveringSuspended without support

shielded · guarded · infantilized · dependent · restricted · controlled · stifled · insulated · cloistered · overparented

coddled

spoiled

poached

sheltered

coddled

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family