Find Synonyms
wetnurse Synonyms
Another word for wetnurse
Choosing another word for wetnurse depends on context, so the 12 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
A woman employed to breastfeed and care for another woman's infant.
Usage Example
"In aristocratic households of the eighteenth century, hiring a wet nurse was a common practice."
Strongest
wet nurse
Strong
amah
• verb (Context 2)
To act as a wetnurse to an infant; to breastfeed another woman's child.
Usage Example
"She agreed to wet-nurse the orphaned infant until he was old enough for solid food."
Strongest
wet-nurse
Strong
suckle
breastfeed
nurse
• verb (Context 3)
To coddle, pamper, or look after someone excessively as if they were helpless.
Usage Example
"The senior manager refused to wet-nurse new recruits who failed to read the basic training manual."
Strongest
wet-nurse
coddle
mollycoddle
Strong
babysit
pamper
cosset
spoon-feed
Opposites of wetnurse
The opposite of wetnurse shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
dry nurse
neglect
wean
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Wetnurse. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/wetnurse