BABY Synonyms: 343 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'baby' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of baby are humor , indulge , mollycoddle , pamper , and spoil . While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude. // babying students by grading too easily

Q: When might 'humor' be a better fit than 'baby'?

The synonyms humor and baby are sometimes interchangeable, but humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims. // humored him by letting him tell the story

Q: When can 'indulge' be used instead of 'baby'?

The words indulge and baby can be used in similar contexts, but indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires. // indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

Q: Where would 'mollycoddle' be a reasonable alternative to 'baby'?

The words mollycoddle and baby are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare. // refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

Q: In what contexts can 'pamper' take the place of 'baby'?

In some situations, the words pamper and baby are roughly equivalent. However, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect. // pampered by the amenities of modern living

Q: When would 'spoil' be a good substitute for 'baby'?

The meanings of spoil and baby largely overlap; however, spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering. // foolish parents spoil their children

baby 1 of 3

noun

ˈbā-bē

Definition of baby

as in child

a recently born person the baby is just learning to sit up, so be careful

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in person

a member of the human race I don't care what you want, there'll be no more work for this baby today

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in success

a successful result brought about by hard work a small film that was a labor of love and the baby that the director was proudest of

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in complainer

a person who makes frequent complaints usually about little things don't be such a baby—the shot didn't hurt that much

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

happy camper

baby

2 of 3

verb

as in to nurse

to treat with great or excessive care he babied his car, faithfully washing it every week if you baby him he'll never learn to take care of himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

baby

3 of 3

adjective

as in mini

Related Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb baby contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of baby are humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

When might humor be a better fit than baby?

The synonyms humor and baby are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 baby?

The words indulge and baby can be used in similar contexts, but indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

Where would mollycoddle be a reasonable alternative to baby?

The words mollycoddle and baby are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

In what contexts can pamper take the place of baby?

In some situations, the words pamper and baby are roughly equivalent. However, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

When would spoil be a good substitute for baby?

The meanings of spoil and baby largely overlap; however, 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 baby

Noun

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium celebrated World Kangaroo Day by announcing the birth of two new joeys, or baby kangaroos, at the zoo this year. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026 The woman never brought Melissa back, leaving a heartbroken Apantenco wondering what had become of her baby. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

The brothers were each two years apart in age, but younger siblings were never babied; Nick recalled being on the receiving end of numerous pummelings by his older brothers. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026 Each new piece was crafted to be simple, functional, and beautiful, giving parents peace of mind and babies a nurturing space to grow. — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for baby

Recent Examples of Synonyms for baby

Noun

Its spacious third row remains a particularly compelling advantage for families who regularly transport several adults or older children.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
People with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and anyone 65 or older are at higher risk of developing complications from the flu, and Turner urged anyone fitting those categories to take extra precautions this season.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of child

Noun

Manfred says small-market success is rare, while the union argues the Rays-Brewers World Series matchup shows baseball can work without a cap.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Mishkin owes some of the success of her label, Naomi Nomi, to a growing backlash against companies – from the luxury tier on down to mall brands and fast fashion – that have tried to pull the synthetic poly-blend wool over our eyes.

— Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of success

Noun

My ‘Deborah Vance Show senior writer’ persona was kind of a rude complainer with an incipient alcohol problem.

— Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Are they deluded into thinking that the complainers are just a squeaky wheel minority and the majority of fans are happy with it?

— Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of complainer

Verb

Joeys will leave the pouch at about 235 days old, but will continue to nurse until about 1-year-old, sometimes longer.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
The Saints could be without star quarterback Brailon Davis who’s nursing an injury, but backup Bodie Brown has stepped in and completed 32 of 45 for 454 yards and seven touchdowns in the past two games.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of nurse

Adjective

There’s room for belongings, a mini fridge for snacks and beers, separate work areas and comfortable beds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Taylor Swift is often at her best in autumn shades, and her signature combination of boots, mini skirt and a turtleneck has always struck me as the wardrobe of someone with a soft spot for pumpkin spice season.

— Olivia Allen, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of mini

Noun

For example, taking an unimmunized infant to a large, indoor family wedding may be non-negotiable to some parents whereas others may seek alternative childcare.

— Katie Lockwood, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026
That report found that families with Black or Hispanic children or infants, and those living in the South and West, are more likely to run into cost as a barrier.

— Caitlyn Collins, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of infant

Noun

Sal Frelick moved in from left to form a five-man infield, with three defenders on the left side and everyone playing in.

— Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
But, since the Japanese Shogi Association was established in 1924, every single kishi player has been a man.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of man

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“Baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baby. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of baby

noun

verb

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing baby

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to baby

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More from Merriam-Webster on baby

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