baby 1 of 3

noun

ˈbā-bē How to pronounce baby (audio)
Definition of babynext
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 government’s role should not be to decide how many babies need to be born. — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025 Charts analyzing baby name preferences in conservative (red) and liberal (blue) U.S. states have gone viral. — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Claire Danes is getting mixed reactions to baby No. 3. — Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2023 The cake symbolizes the three kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus. — Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 24 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for baby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baby
  1. child
  2. person
  3. success
  4. nurse
  5. mini
  6. infant
  7. man
  8. accomplishment
Noun
  • As the film opens, a matter-of-fact, unemotional voice shares statistics about children living with poverty, parental abuse and alcoholism in the United States, as the numbers flash in simple white text on a black screen.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Illinois passed a law in August 2023 requiring parents to compensate child influencers, becoming the first state to do so.
    — Karen Fratti, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of child
Noun
  • Had Melanie Robinson survived, the 38-year-old mother would have been arrested on capital murder of a person under 10 years old in the death of her baby, Jonas Allen.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025
  • More than 200 attendees in person and online showed up March 24 for the launch of the EndurANT Movement, founded by Encinitas residents Neal and Samara Tricarico one year after their 16-year-old son Anthony died by suicide.
    — Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of person
Noun
  • While Colorado itself hasn't had significant success, Deion has at least produced some fascinating NFL prospects.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
  • This offseason, a new head coach and the addition of several key players have increased the odds of success in Indiana.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of success
Verb
  • Neither team led by more than eight points all night, but the Lakers nursed a small lead throughout the final 17 minutes.
    — Khobi Price, Oc Register, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Mothers nurse their pups for only a month before mating and heading out to the open ocean.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of nurse
Adjective
  • Guests will also receive a complimentary mini Temple Oud candle with any Cécred service.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Each customer will also receive a mini Temple Oud candle with the hair services.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of mini
Noun
  • One Jewish mother, afraid for her infant son, bravely floated him down the Nile River in a basket.
    — Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The image of an infant wearing a white outfit and swaddled in a pink blanket looked much like that was taken by Princess Beatrice's husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and released by Buckingham Palace to announce Athena's birth in January.
    — Janine Henni, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of infant
Noun
  • However, most of the damages (as much as 90%) will be allocated to football and men’s basketball due to the revenue generated by the respective sports.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • First, a masked man pointed a gun at her while robbing the boutique at the White Lotus.
    — Michaela Zee, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of man
Noun
  • Remember to include numbers wherever possible in your resume to emphasize the scope, timeliness, and impact of your professional accomplishments.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • This was a great accomplishment and everyone has to live this once.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of accomplishment

Phrases Containing baby

Browse Nearby Words

babushkas
baby
baby buggies
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Cite this Entry

“Baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baby. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on baby

Nglish: Translation of baby for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about baby

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