as in favorites
a person or thing that is preferred over others
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pats
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of pets
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
For more advice on keeping your pets happy, healthy and safe through every season, visit USA TODAY Pets, your destination for expert advice, heartwarming stories and the latest news for animal lovers.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
The comments section quickly became a communal storytelling space, with viewers swapping anecdotes about pets who seemed to recognize languages, accents, or phrases from earlier homes.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The growing focus on spaces for pets as a major real estate selling point for couples has spread across the region, and the same sign could be seen in Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, or any other major Latin American city.
—Manuela Castro, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Last, before every class, the instructors remind you to make sure there are no children or pets around before starting the session.
—Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
This, Wright imagined, was one way Proxi might display its analysis of players’ minds, an aerial map of loves, phobias, triumphs, losses, pets, and near misses plus all the associations connecting them.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Here’s a guide to nine common indoor plants that are poisonous to pets, along with the symptoms every pet owner should recognize.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Young children and pets Medications look like candy.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Adoptable pets with black fur are less likely to be adopted, an article from Adopt a Report found.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Sometimes pets like to use fringe as toys, so be extra cautious with cats and dogs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, it is recommended to wait 24 hours before allowing kids or pets on the lawn.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
For more advice on keeping your pets happy, healthy and safe through every season, visit USA TODAY Pets, your destination for expert advice, heartwarming stories and the latest news for animal lovers.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
The comments section quickly became a communal storytelling space, with viewers swapping anecdotes about pets who seemed to recognize languages, accents, or phrases from earlier homes.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The growing focus on spaces for pets as a major real estate selling point for couples has spread across the region, and the same sign could be seen in Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, or any other major Latin American city.
—Manuela Castro, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Last, before every class, the instructors remind you to make sure there are no children or pets around before starting the session.
—Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
This, Wright imagined, was one way Proxi might display its analysis of players’ minds, an aerial map of loves, phobias, triumphs, losses, pets, and near misses plus all the associations connecting them.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Here’s a guide to nine common indoor plants that are poisonous to pets, along with the symptoms every pet owner should recognize.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Young children and pets Medications look like candy.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
This method creates a durable, washable bed that pets love.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Adoptable pets with black fur are less likely to be adopted, an article from Adopt a Report found.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Sometimes pets like to use fringe as toys, so be extra cautious with cats and dogs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
Commandment, winner of four straight races, is certain to head on to Louisville and May 2 Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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Gluten-free mac and cheese and chicken enchiladas are menu favorites, the brand said.—
Jenna Thompson
March 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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During the performance, the singer kneels down to hand Fox the award and pats his head before continuing on.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Inside the facility, Angela empties her pockets, a guard scans her with a metal-detection wand, pats her down and asks her to spread her legs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those making more bookish and insular styles of the genre, like the Magnetic Fields and Belle and Sebastian, weren’t being worshipped as critical darlings; in some cases their records hadn’t made it to America yet.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, avant-garde heavy rockers Deftones became unexpected TikTok darlings and arena stars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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