spoonfeed
Hand-deliver every answer
To spoonfeed is to feed someone by putting food into their mouth with a spoon—as one does with infants or invalids.
The figurative sense dominates: to provide information or assistance in such small, predigested pieces that the recipient needs no effort or independent thought.
The professor spoonfed them the answers instead of making them think.
The implication is usually negative—that excessive help prevents genuine learning or development.
Overindulge or poach gently
- pamperIndulge excessively
- mollycoddleOverindulge with excessive protection
- cossetTo overindulge with care
- overindulgePartake to excess
babying · dote · smother · hover · helicopter · overprotect · shield · cushion
Partially decompose beforehand
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- digestibleAble to be absorbed
- elementaryOf first principles
- basicsFoundational knowledge of something
oversimplify · dumb down · layman's terms · bite-sized · step-by-step · handhold · guided · structured
Provide sustenance to
- nurseHealthcare provider, bedside
- weanGradually withdraw dependence
- sustainKeep something going continuously
- careAttentive regard for others
tend · rear · raise · foster · support · encourage · cultivate · develop
Act superior toward
- condescendAct superior toward others
- talkdownPatronizing, dismissive communication
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
underestimate · disdain · dismiss · supercilious · haughty · arrogant · superiority · pity
coddle
Overindulge or poach gently
- pamperIndulge excessively
- mollycoddleOverindulge with excessive protection
- cossetTo overindulge with care
overindulge · babying · dote · smother · hover · helicopter · overprotect · shield · cushion · handhold
predigest
Partially decompose beforehand
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- digestibleAble to be absorbed
- elementaryOf first principles
basics · oversimplify · dumb down · layman's terms · bite-sized · step-by-step · handhold · guided · structured · scaffolded
nourish
Provide sustenance to
- nurseHealthcare provider, bedside
- weanGradually withdraw dependence
- sustainKeep something going continuously
care · tend · rear · raise · foster · support · encourage · cultivate · develop · guide
patronize
Act superior toward
- condescendAct superior toward others
- talkdownPatronizing, dismissive communication
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
demean · underestimate · disdain · dismiss · supercilious · haughty · arrogant · superiority · pity · scoff
spoonfeedchallenge
Test of ability
sink or swim · self-directed learning · empower · Socratic method · scaffold
spoonfeedwithhold
Refuse to give
bury the lede · challenge · obfuscate · obscure · complicate
spoonfeedneglect
Failure to provide care
abandon · toughen up · throw to the wolves · leave in the lurch · tough love