to mollycoddle

Examples

• All

• Are you saying that I won't have to mollycoddle my tomato plants?

  Blog text (33)

• I wasn't good at being mollycoddled as an infant, and I certainly don't want it now.

  Blog text (3)

• His mother wants to mollycoddle him, fine.

  Black or White (2014)

• And yet we're expected to sit and mollycoddle these fools for what reason?

  Blog text (8)

• It's not enough to be mollycoddled, Robert.

  The Awakening (2011)

• We're we're too mollycoddling in this modern age of consumerism where you are never left on your own to learn to survive.

  First We Feast

• They also do point out this doesn't mean as they use the word mollycoddling people, right?

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• Don't mollycoddle me.

  Robin Hood (2010)

• She tends to mollycoddle her son, fearing that he will not be able to face challenges on his own.

• If teachers mollycoddle students by giving them easy tests, they won't be prepared for real exams.

Synonyms

S

to spoil

vsto mollycoddle

70 3.7

To give a child too many gifts or freedoms, causing bad behavior

is similar but underlines harm done by excessive indulgence

P

to pamper

vsto mollycoddle

42 3.7

To give someone too much care and special treatment

frames the same action as causing harm by overdoing support

I

to indulge

vsto mollycoddle

39 4.1

To let someone have whatever they want, often too much

frames the allowance as harmful when it becomes excessive care

C

to coddle

vsto mollycoddle

37 6.4

Treat someone with too much care so they become less independent

is the same but emphasizes harm from too much care

B

to baby

vsto mollycoddle

• Informal

30 6.0

To treat someone with too much care and make things too easy for them

focuses on the damaging consequence of that ease rather than kindness

S

to spoil someone rotten

vsto mollycoddle

• Informal

3 6.7

To give someone too much kindness and gifts so they expect special treatment

emphasises harm and detriment from that overindulgence rather than praise

C

to cosset

vsto mollycoddle

1 9.1

To give someone too much care and protection so they do not face problems

stresses the damaging sheltering effect rather than simple kindness

C

to cocker

vsto mollycoddle

• UK

9.9

To give someone too much care or gifts so they do not learn to manage on their own

highlights long term detriment from that indulgent behaviour

F

to featherbed

vsto mollycoddle

• Archaic

8.6

To give someone too much comfort so they do not learn

adds the idea that such care often hurts the person's development

Antonyms

A

to abandon

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

N

neglect

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

How Indulgent

to spoil

70 3.7

to mollycoddle

• Archaic

1 9.3

to tend

174 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology