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
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Recent Examples of pet
Jasmine Mendez
follow, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Chemical Control Options Numerous types of chemical controls can be used to manage weeds, and some are safer than others for people, pets, and the environment.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
Lauren Victory, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Fortunately, this pet hair remover roller is here to save the day—or at least save the couch from all that fur.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026
Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
An Olympic athlete’s biggest regret from the day was not getting to pet the dog.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Noun
The couple’s daughters, 11-year-old Abagail Keenan and 12-year-old Emma Keenan, were found dead inside the home, along with several household pets.
—Jasmine Mendez
follow, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Chemical Control Options Numerous types of chemical controls can be used to manage weeds, and some are safer than others for people, pets, and the environment.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Donations of pet food, water, and toilet paper, among other commodities, came in by truckload Wednesday night.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Fortunately, this pet hair remover roller is here to save the day—or at least save the couch from all that fur.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Children can pet a chick and plant a radish seed.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
An Olympic athlete’s biggest regret from the day was not getting to pet the dog.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
Adjective
-
But the fact that employees still showed up, including without pay during last year’s federal government shutdown, demonstrates their commitment to keeping the beloved parks flourishing.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Sitting in the audience, Styles' mere presence repeatedly distracted the actor as the camera kept panning away from him for the beloved pop-rock star.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For longer storage, freeze blackberries by first rinsing and patting them dry.—
Christine Fiorentino,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Take care of yourselves and one another, reach out to friends and loved ones, and check in on your neighbors.—
Mamie Bah,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Her loved ones, including her husband Jim, encouraged Buffone to make a business out of selling her bread and other baked goods.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bowen nipped in ahead of Calvin Bassey and passed to Summerville, who advanced to stroke his fifth league goal of the season, and seventh in 10 appearances across all competitions, into the unguarded net.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
This could have caused the plaque to chip off and cause a fatal heart attack or stroke any time over the next 5-10 years, maybe even sooner.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Big Ten would retain its cherished TV content but avoid the near-empty pro stadiums for three days.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The students – three young men and two young women – were arrested, and their fate was widely discussed by a grieving community preparing for the cherished teacher’s Saturday funeral.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Here are 28 of our favorite spring movies and where to stream them!—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
12 Mar. 2026
-
My favorite story to illustrate how Ross moves is the time I was told to ask Ross about his recent purchase of Fort Lauderdale’s iconic W Hotel on the first date of training camp in 2014.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jean is an enthralling account of an artist learning to be less precious about linear healing and emotions that don’t lend themselves to that process.—
Larisha Paul,
VIBE.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
However, gold may not necessarily fit the needs of every individual who wants to buy precious metals.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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