cat

noun

ˈkat How to pronounce cat (audio)
Definition of catnext
1
as in kitten
a small domestic animal known for catching mice the family's cat did an exemplary job of keeping the house and yard free of all rodents

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in male
an adult male human being he was one cool cat driving around in his new sports car

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 cat She’s made room for dozens of pets over the years, ranging from fluffy Chow Chows and Frenchies (her favorite breeds) to canaries, chinchillas, and beautifully fluffy cats. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 11 Sep. 2026 At CatCon, attendees will get to meet kitty celebrities such as Uno, the one-eared cat with 360,000 subscribers on YouTube, or the Sphynx with over 44,000 thousand followers on Instagram, lily_rose_adventures. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 What Bruce needs most is someone who can look beyond his diagnosis and see the wonderful cat standing in front of them. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026 Butler finds just sitting with the cats, even at a distance, helps build the relationship. — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cat
  1. kitten
  2. male
  3. kitty
  4. guy
  5. feline
  6. gentleman
  7. dude
Noun
  • After visiting a neighbor who was fostering kittens, the little girl would bring one home, hoping to keep it despite her dad’s allergy.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Earlier this year, the kitten was discovered in the wild and closely monitored by biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as part of panther conservation efforts.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of kitten
Noun
  • Defense attorney Kevin Reddington repeatedly referred to the unnamed juror as a male inside and outside court.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Females are also far more likely than males to be illiterate, go hungry, be victims of human trafficking, or be murdered by a family member.
    — Gloria Steinem, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of male
Noun
  • Taking inspiration from the iconic Ginger Spice, influencer and model Meredith Duxbury’s fresh kitty cut is the ultimate fall accessory.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • My darling hubby took the photo a few months ago on his phone and our kitty won first place at my local gym/OTF pet photo contest!
    — Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of kitty
Noun
  • At the time, Tiafoe was the most talented 10-year-old there, the son of the head maintenance guy, Constant Tiafoe, who had fled civil war in Sierra Leone with his wife.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Heavy curtain up; the moaning of sentimental strings; lights rising on some wedges and rectangles of scenery, guys and girls, the guys practically naked save for bits and pieces of neo-Greek get-up.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of guy
Noun
  • The feline was then released back into the wild, startled but safe.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Witkowski estimated a standard chair for the feline would cost around $1,800, which is a steep price given that the growing kitten would outgrow it in about a month and a half.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of feline
Noun
  • In this 1985 novel, recently reissued by NYRB, Louise has returned to the splendor and decay of New Orleans, where one drunken yet charming Southern gentleman in particular catches her eye.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Portraying a character who is an all-around gentleman was the biggest challenge for Skarsgård.
    — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of gentleman
Noun
  • Now, the real argument should be who they’re influenced by, and most of these dudes are influenced by Americans.
    — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Tahnoon isn’t merely some fabulously rich dude who woke up one morning with a taste for bottle service.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of dude

Phrases Containing cat

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casuistic
cat
cat's cradle
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Cite this Entry

“Cat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cat. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cat

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