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
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Unlike her wryly astute essays, the playwright scarcely reckons with the thorny nuances of mourning, and instead settles for a rather pat depiction of grief.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Salvador Rizzo, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2018
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
Without missing a beat, the teen jumped into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and patting the customer on the back before the man sat back down.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Adjective
Twain has long been accused of giving Huck Finn an overly pat, comic ending.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Unlike her wryly astute essays, the playwright scarcely reckons with the thorny nuances of mourning, and instead settles for a rather pat depiction of grief.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Adverb
The use of police pat-downs declined as a result starting in late 2015, according to Cassell and Fowles.
—Salvador Rizzo, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2018
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Verb
When tackle Jonah Laulu dropped an interception, Mahomes went over and patted him on the back.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
Without missing a beat, the teen jumped into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and patting the customer on the back before the man sat back down.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
That individual brilliance which can produce a moment of magic to break open a stubborn defence is harder to come by.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Be sure to pay extra attention to stubborn stains.—
Jennifer Beck Goldblatt,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The 27-yard dart, perfectly thrown to the goal line, unlocked a tie at 27 on the first play of the fourth quarter.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
For makeup, Sweeney’s hot pink eyeliner perfectly complemented her pastel gown.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 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
Adjective
-
When asked about his name being mentioned as this season’s coaching carnage continues, Danielson — a native of Southern California and graduate of Azusa Pacific University east of Los Angeles — remained adamant in his commitment to Boise State.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Oct. 2025
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But Díaz-Balart, who sits on the House appropriations committee that helps draft spending bills, insists Republicans won’t cave to demands and is adamant short-term extensions are not the solution.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The fabric is breathable and immaculately drapey, lending a bohemian aesthetic to this $35 lounge outfit.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
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Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is one of the most gorgeous and immaculately constructed films ever made, and that attention to detail extends to the scene in which the titular helpmeet Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri) uses a lollipop to teach Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) how to kiss.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes just stroking the ball to the other field, as Andres Gimenez did to drive in a run, or rolling one through the hole as Addison Barger did for an RBI in that inning, works just as well.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
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The scrawny stray Marlon Brando stroked in The Godfather was found on the Paramount lot the morning of the shoot.—
Steve Garbarino,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jeff is known as a selfless mentor and a steadfast colleague.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
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Beyond her torrid relationship with Taissa Turner, Van felt like a voice of reason in a sea of noise — steadfast in her effort to reform after her time in The Wilderness rather than succumbing to its violent will.—
Catherine Mhloyi,
Them.,
29 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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For now, the researchers say the discovery shows how finely balanced the body’s cellular responses are, and how small changes in that balance can mean the difference between a harmless sign of aging and a life-threatening disease.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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Its world is finely wrought, its lead performance — from producer Blake Lively — is soulful and surprising.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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