1. to move a baby or small child gently up and down on one’s knee or in one’s arms
2. to treat someone in an indulgent or overly affectionate way
Usage: often disapproving

Examples

• She dandled the baby on her knee to make him laugh.
• Grandfather loved to dandle his grandchildren when they visited.
• The mother gently dandled her crying infant to calm him down.
• He dandled the toddler while singing a nursery rhyme.
• Stop dandling that child – he needs to learn independence.
• The wealthy parents dandled their son, giving him everything he wanted.