swaddle

verb

swad·​dle ˈswä-dᵊl How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
swaddled; swaddling
ˈswäd-liŋ, 
ˈswä-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
Synonyms of swaddlenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes
b
: envelop, swathe
legs swaddled in bandages
2
: restrain, restrict
… marriage … swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe …—Nina Auerbach

Examples of swaddle in a Sentence

He swaddled the baby in a blanket.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The soft leather straps add an extra layer of cushion that’ll keep feet swaddled in comfort and add an elegant touch. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 Sloth jaws and sabertooth fangs and a truly astonishing amount of ancient vertebrae — all of it will be swaddled, catalogued and crated for the next two years. — Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026 Rihanna broke the news in a sweet Instagram post, sharing an image of herself holding the infant, who is swaddled in a pink blanket. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026 After seven years of trapping, swaddling, collaring and monitoring them in the Twin Cities, Miller doesn’t think his middle-school self was far off. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swaddle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swadelen, swathelen, probably alteration of swedelen, swethelen, from swethel swaddling band, from Old English; akin to Old English swathian to swathe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of swaddle was in the 14th century

Rhymes for swaddle

See All Rhymes for swaddle

Browse Nearby Words

swad
swaddle
swaddler
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swaddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swaddle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

swaddle

verb
swad·​dle ˈswäd-ᵊl How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
swaddled; swaddling ˈswäd-liŋ How to pronounce swaddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to wrap an infant with swaddling clothes

More from Merriam-Webster on swaddle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swaddle

Nglish: Translation of swaddle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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