as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
on the issue of raising taxes the governor stands pat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in perfectly
without any flaws or errors
after months of practicing for the competition, the cheerleaders have their moves down pat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
affectionately patted the baby on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pat
Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune, 30 Oct. 2020
Houston's likely route this February is likely to stand relatively pat, with a Gordon trade (don't hold your breath waiting on a major haul in return) as the only deal on the immediate horizon.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 3 Feb. 2023
Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024
The structure is still the bits-and-pieces-flow-of-events unfolding over the course of numerous episodes that apparently repelled viewers accustomed to pat network formulas.
—Gail Williams, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pat 
Adjective
The ending is not pat, nor fully happy.
—Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune, 30 Oct. 2020
Houston's likely route this February is likely to stand relatively pat, with a Gordon trade (don't hold your breath waiting on a major haul in return) as the only deal on the immediate horizon.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 3 Feb. 2023
Adverb
When the grill is nice and hot, pat dry the scallops with a paper towel.
—Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Verb
Prepare for roasting Place the meat on a rimmed platter and pat dry well using paper towels.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024
The structure is still the bits-and-pieces-flow-of-events unfolding over the course of numerous episodes that apparently repelled viewers accustomed to pat network formulas.
—Gail Williams, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The bigger question is what happens if the economy, and in particular the labor market, weakens while inflation remains stubborn.—
Ben Casselman,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
The video — posted by TikTok user Belle Hesse on Jan. 7 — shows hands placing a perfectly cut, phone-sized piece of sturdy cardboard inside a black phone case with an opaque screen protector.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
-
This wine—the crisp Pinot Bianco, the textured Chardonnay, the exotic Gewürztraminer, the elegant Pinot Noir, or the robust Lagrein—perfectly exemplify this region's quality and diversity.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Dan Sheldon Golf: A hole-in-one There’s no greater satisfaction in sport than carefully caressing a little white ball into a slightly larger hole in the ground with a metal stick.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The soil caressed my bare feet, and the dust was always boiling up from the dirt road that passed 50 feet from our front door.—
Philip Martin,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
David Poole is adamant that the sales team is always upfront about the risks as well as upsides of investing.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
-
On the other hand, the group is adamant that its FPV drones are wholly homegrown.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The sleeve was also successfully used to deliver a virtual stroking sensation, by sequentially activating the pouches one after another.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The father pointed to the sky, stroked his head, and seemed to explain something to him.—
Michael Sheldrick,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
As those factors emerged, NBA front-office sources remained steadfast that Flagg was the No. 1 pick.—
Sam Vecenie,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
-
In contrast, Pence, speaking at an educational forum in Taipei, expressed his belief that the United States should remain steadfast in its commitments.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
His finely weighted through ball found Weah, who beat Fikayo Tomori before angling a net left-footed effort beyond Maignan to double Juve’s advantage.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Our social minds are finely tuned to the subtlest of behavioral cues.—
Kurt Gray,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In September 2023, after Swift surprised fans with her first appearance at a Chiefs game in Arrowhead and influencer Alix Earle was seen hugging a Miami Dolphins player on the sidelines, Vogue wondered if fashion and football were a good fit.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
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Each of the church’s clergy members hugged Brandon, and the congregants raised their hands toward him in a show of support.—
Ellen Moynihan,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pat
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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