Doating

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having an excessive fondness or affection for someone or something; demonstrating an overindulgent love or care that may border on foolishness
2. Exhibiting a foolishly affectionate behavior; showing a marked tendency to spoil or pamper someone, often leading to unwise decisions
3. Characterized by a state of being overly attached or emotionally invested, often resulting in a lack of critical judgment regarding the object of affection

Etymology: "Doating" is the present participle of "doat," a verb meaning to be foolishly or excessively fond of someone or something. Sometimes the word appears in older texts with the sense of being doting in old age, a state of dotage, which shows how closely "dote" and "doat" have been tied to the idea of weakened judgment. Because the form is a verb inflection, the meaning of "doating" carries the sense of ongoing, present devotion that clouds one's ability to see the beloved clearly.

Synonyms: foolish, infatuated, obsessed, silly, indulgent

Antonyms: sensible, rational, pragmatic, wise