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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pets
Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
The number of beloved pets who die of age or illness is unknown but might be less than the eleven thousand dogs and cats euthanized in shelters weekly.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These are the pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
All pets in Louisville are required to be vaccinated against rabies.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Since 2021, Apple AirTags have been helping customers locate their lost keys, wallets, cars, and even beloved pets.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
Taking place at the City Center Bishop Ranch, the event invites both pets and their owners to don outfits and strut their stuff for the amusement of the general public.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The stores, which are also called warehouse outlets, sell supplies and pets.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Visitors also frequently encountered presidential pets, such as the Obamas’ dog Bo and the Bidens’ cat Willow.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Afterward, the monster has a moment with Wendy, who pets its head, and communicates with it using clicking noises.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
Feed pets indoors, or only put out enough for short time periods and bring leftovers and dishes back inside.
—C. A. Bridges, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Always keep yourself and pets away from algal blooms.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
As one of Middle Tennessee’s largest fall festivals, the event is packed with family-friendly activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, shopping, arts & crafts, and more.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
The number of beloved pets who die of age or illness is unknown but might be less than the eleven thousand dogs and cats euthanized in shelters weekly.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These are the pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
All pets in Louisville are required to be vaccinated against rabies.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Since 2021, Apple AirTags have been helping customers locate their lost keys, wallets, cars, and even beloved pets.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
Taking place at the City Center Bishop Ranch, the event invites both pets and their owners to don outfits and strut their stuff for the amusement of the general public.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The stores, which are also called warehouse outlets, sell supplies and pets.
—Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Visitors also frequently encountered presidential pets, such as the Obamas’ dog Bo and the Bidens’ cat Willow.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Afterward, the monster has a moment with Wendy, who pets its head, and communicates with it using clicking noises.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
Feed pets indoors, or only put out enough for short time periods and bring leftovers and dishes back inside.
—C. A. Bridges, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Always keep yourself and pets away from algal blooms.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
The Jayhawks entered as favorites and scored the game’s first seven points.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
26 Oct. 2025
-
At this point in the year, there are a handful of players who have separated themselves as potential Heisman Trophy favorites.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The clip, shared by Sarah Ingle (@saraheingle), a dedicated dog fosterer, shows seven-month-old Cookie Crisps nestled in her arms while Ingle gently pats her bottom.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And just like today, companies that didn’t yet turn a profit were some of the darlings of Wall Street.—
Christine Romans,
NBC news,
15 Oct. 2025
-
According to HockeyStatCards, which combines data from Natural Stat Trick and Dom Luszczyszyn’s Game Score model, Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo were far from analytical darlings.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
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In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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