Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pamper contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pamper are baby, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When is baby a more appropriate choice than pamper?

The meanings of baby and pamper largely overlap; however, baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

Where would humor be a reasonable alternative to pamper?

While the synonyms humor and pamper are close in meaning, humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

When can indulge be used instead of pamper?

While in some cases nearly identical to pamper, indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

When might mollycoddle be a better fit than pamper?

Although the words mollycoddle and pamper have much in common, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

When is it sensible to use spoil instead of pamper?

The synonyms spoil and pamper are sometimes interchangeable, but spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pamper The hotel was within walking distance of the slopes and provided amenities aimed at pampering the upper-middle-class families who vacationed there. Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 The owners can spend hours relaxing and pampering in the space, said designer Andrew Winch. Katia Damborsky, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 Perfect for those with wanderlust looking for innovative new ways to pamper themselves. Ronny Maye, Essence, 16 Jan. 2025 Guests will enjoy pampering beyond the spa with an attentive staff that prioritizes service to ensure a sophisticated and satisfying experience. Shivani Vora, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pamper 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pamper
Verb
  • Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.
    Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.
    Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • At the Otter, Stupak continues to indulge his impulse to riff and reinterpret and perform tricks of the tongue.
    Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Or go indulge with Gluten-Free Mac N’ Cheese or a Mac N’ Cheese Tri-Tip Plate, a Hot Steak Melt sandwich, or a Mango Goat Cheese or Tri-Tip salad.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Newsweek spoke to nurse Meagan Vanzant, who appears in the back of the video wearing blue scrubs and glasses, about the highs and lows of their roles.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Dennis admits to an obsession with twins and to nursing a Parent Trap-esque fantasy as a child to stave off loneliness.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near pamper

Cite this Entry

“Pamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pamper. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pamper

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