as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pouts
a state of resentful silence or irritability
the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
spent my free time on my pet project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to pat
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pet
Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Experts say this psychological phenomenon is a result of us humans preferring pets, people or even objects that resemble ourselves.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2025
Big pet people, especially dogs, the couple had been married since 1991 and had lived very privately in New Mexico for decades.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Jackie (ott) Jaakola, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Sometimes all seems fine as an owner pets their cat on the couch.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Noun
To find out if your pet is comfortable with a robotic vacuum, run the device and watch his or her reaction to it.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
Experts say this psychological phenomenon is a result of us humans preferring pets, people or even objects that resemble ourselves.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
To prevent this and keep your pet healthy, clean both the water and food bowls every day.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2025
Big pet people, especially dogs, the couple had been married since 1991 and had lived very privately in New Mexico for decades.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Cats can be great companions for people with depression or anxiety, and even the mere act of petting a cat or dog can significantly reduce stress.
—Jackie (ott) Jaakola, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Sometimes all seems fine as an owner pets their cat on the couch.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
Adjective
-
Gianni’s beloved baby sister was by her brother’s side from childhood.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The Guardians signed first baseman Carlos Santana to a one-year, $12-million contract as a free agent immediately after trading Naylor and the 38-year-old is beginning his third stint in his beloved Cleveland.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Eight days ago, at the very moment when Trump was patting French President Emmanuel Macron on the back at the White House, the United States voted at the United Nations with Russia and North Korea against the Europeans demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops.—
Claude Malhuret,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, sunflower seed oil, gardenia florida fruit extract, sacred lotus flower extract, Nymphaea odorata root extract Finish: Matte/Radiant Shades: 13 How to apply: Apply one dot on each cheek and use your fingertips to gently pat the blush into the skin.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Once, at a zoo, she and her children had been invited to stroke a boa constrictor.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
-
On the ensuing point, Medvedev ended a rally by stroking a two-handed backhand wide, bringing Tien to match point.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Unfortunately for us, Percy has not arrived just to caress Lord John, who honestly needs it, but rather to pass on some intel: Percy warns John of a plot to kidnap William in order to force John and his brother Hal to cooperate with the Continental Army.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
-
On Valentines Day, Rihanna sat with Mayers during another break, gently caressing his cheek while the couple sat on a courtroom bench, surrounded by beefy security guards.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Location: In Georgetown BOOK NOW Beachside Farmhouse Photo: Courtesy of Airbnb Kennebunkport has long been a favorite holiday destination in Maine thanks to its blissful waterfront village and historic atmosphere.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Our favorite machines here can turn your barista into a stranger.—
Brad Bourque,
WIRED,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
On the one hand, their blurring of genres, their fusion of architecture, art, and media, is part of a postmodernism that today has precious little purchase left on capitalist modernity—indeed, that fronts for that modernity as much as anything else.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The regolith samples returned from the Moon during the Apollo missions in the 1960s and 70s are precious, difficult if not impossible to access for research purposes.—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Raiders view him as a high-level backup and core special teams player, according to a league source.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Kaley Cuoco has been to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but one spot holds a special place in her heart.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Allwood Timberline Cabin Tiny House caught our eye for a few noteworthy reasons, namely the darling front porch that’s perfect for lounging.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Your darling planetary ruler, Venus, is transiting the creative sign of Leo while shining a light on your 11th house of associations, community and sense of belonging in the world.—
Valerie Mesa,
Peoplemag,
5 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share