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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pet
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The rents don’t include an amenity fee of $100 a month and a fee of $40 per pet.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Later in the segment, Delano had the opportunity to step into his journalist father's footsteps and announce the winners of a pet naming contest.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Your littlest charges will marvel at the size of the camels, tortoises and giraffes lumbering about the zoo’s meandering paths, and then eagerly pet goats and sheep in the farmyard.
—Susan McDonald, The Providence Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Noun
The data — published on Sacramento’s Open Data Portal — show that the shelter had more than 10,000 intakes of pets last year.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
The rents don’t include an amenity fee of $100 a month and a fee of $40 per pet.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Season Schmitz, a volunteer with the organization, explained the overwhelming reality facing pet owners whose lives were upended overnight.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Later in the segment, Delano had the opportunity to step into his journalist father's footsteps and announce the winners of a pet naming contest.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
How will pet stores that work with ethical breeders be impacted?
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Your littlest charges will marvel at the size of the camels, tortoises and giraffes lumbering about the zoo’s meandering paths, and then eagerly pet goats and sheep in the farmyard.
—Susan McDonald, The Providence Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
Adjective
-
In New York City, Kathy Griffin poses with her beloved dogs, and Nick Jonas keeps it casual in a leather jacket and hoodie.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Michael’s commercial reception may seem to show the futility of trying to litigate truth regarding someone as once-beloved as its subject.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kimmel, always happy to pat himself on the back, agreed.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Next to Hofferth, Adam Johnson patted a projector.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to background information shared with press, the Aleutian Lady was equipped with cameras at the time of the incident, but it will not be shown on the show out of respect for his family and loved ones.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In her first varsity at-bat the next day against Lincoln-Way Central, Krauchun stroked a single up the middle.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Ferrer then went back to the sinker, placed the 98 mph pitch on the outside edge of the plate and Merrill stroked it to left, clearing the bases for a walk-off win in front the remnants of a sellout crowd of 46,095.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Zachary was a cherished friend whose kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew him.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Some cherished illusions will be shattered, including what chimpanzees eat, which is not exclusively fruit but sometimes other, weaker primates like red colobus monkeys.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Chinese Communist Party is resurrecting one of its favorite complaints against the Japanese government, decrying officials’ routine visit to a shrine honoring dead soldiers of World War II.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Glow by Daye Satin Bonnets is an Allure-editor favorite and comes in a number of cute colors and patterns.—
Danielle James,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Since the 1970s, Bulgari’s design language has been defined by the avant-garde with its combination of precious gold with stainless steel.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Newmont , Freeport-McMoRan — Prices of both precious and industrial metals fell, as investors saw the dollar strengthen on Monday and worried about economic growth amid higher oil prices again.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
