What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dandled
Example
She dandled the baby on her lap, singing a lullaby. [dandled: verb]
Example
The boat was dandled by the waves, making some passengers seasick. [dandled: past tense]
Example
He dandled the fragile vase carefully, afraid it might break. [dandled: past participle]
cradle
Example
She cradled the baby in her arms, humming a lullaby. [cradled: verb]
Example
The tree branch cradled the bird's nest safely. [cradled: past tense]
Example
The phone was resting in its cradle, waiting for the call. [cradle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cradle is more commonly used than dandled in everyday language. Cradle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dandled is less common and often used in specific situations, such as holding and moving a baby or young child.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dandled and cradle?
While dandled is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, cradle is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
