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
Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2025
After being mobbed by his team-mates, Van Dijk patted the badge on his shirt in front of the Kop and then planted a kiss on it, to rapturous acclaim.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 14 Apr. 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
Hot tip: Don’t smear or drag—simply patting your concealer in will keep it from caking and creasing.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2025
After being mobbed by his team-mates, Van Dijk patted the badge on his shirt in front of the Kop and then planted a kiss on it, to rapturous acclaim.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
Outside of Washington, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s followers appear to be scrambling the country's stubborn red-blue divide USA TODAY Texas is looking at bills to bring back exercise.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
The following day, however, Mercury will meet Mars in a stubborn square, triggering a clash between the need for practicality and discernment versus the desire to express oneself boldly and with pride.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Adverb
-
With the future of the show uncertain, the cast and crew shot the episode with a conclusion that wraps up the series perfectly.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
-
Not everything landed perfectly, with the writing of many of the live bits feeling like the staff are just going through the motions, but Brunson’s ability to commit to each role and work seamlessly off the cast more than made up for it.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Being tenderly caressed physically searched by a Transportation Security Administration agent.—
James Factora,
Them.,
11 Apr. 2025
-
With her usual mastery of dynamics, Laferte starts out sweetly caressing each phrase.—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet even as Bix seems to be an avatar for all the suffering and trauma the Star Wars galaxy has to offer, Arjona is adamant that her character is not a victim.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
Her sister is adamant that, for Jane, this was the only way.—
Kim Campbell,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
But at the moment that Prima completed the unravelling of the braid and stroked her fingers through to the ends of her hair, Heiss stopped speaking.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
-
The singer announced the news on his Instagram with a video of himself and his newborn daughter, holding his baby girl's hand and sweetly stroking her fingers.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
While Broadcom’s financial success since acquiring VMware suggests that its business plan will remain steadfast, sending cease-and-desist letters to VMware users risks further harming its reputation with current and former customers.—
Scharon Harding – May 7,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2025
-
Their team walks clients through every step, offering open communication, empathy, and steadfast support throughout the process.—
Ascend Agency,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2025
Adverb
-
The institutional medical setting becomes the background for a tale that doesn’t finely distinguish between memory and imagination, one realm bleeding freely into the next.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
-
Each is sheathed in a patchwork of finely veneered woods.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
On one hand, the Pacers essentially had four-on-four opportunities with Haliburton and his defender all but hugging 30+-feet from the rim.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
-
Ozturk, who appeared remotely from Louisiana and testified before the court, was seen hugging her lawyer after Sessions delivered his decision from the bench.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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