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 Why summer heat is so dangerous for pets Dogs and cats do not cool themselves through their skin the way humans do. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026 The long, almond manicure is a yellowy-green cat-eye shade that launched a debate among Allure editors trying to determine exactly which kind of pickle provided the inspo color. — Marci Robin, Allure, 9 July 2026 An animal shelter operator in Binyang country, about 75 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Hengzhou, struggled in recent days to rescue about 200 cats and dozens of dogs, bringing the dogs two at a time through deep water. — ABC News, 9 July 2026 Police and animal control officers are looking for information about the person or persons who allegedly threw a box of cats and kittens from a moving vehicle in East Hartford on Wednesday. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 July 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
  • Originating in kittens to stimulate milk flow, its persistence in adulthood is attributed to several factors.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The snake charmers tried to test their antidotes on kittens, but the snakes refused to bite.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of kitten
Noun
  • During the haul-out from April through August, in the Tasmanian winter, elephant seals will gather and interact with each other – especially young males who play-fight and spar.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District released 144,000 sterile male mosquitoes in Rosemont on Tuesday to combat the invasive Aedes aegypti population.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of male
Noun
  • Leap across rooftops and squeeze through pipes, all to become the ultimate good kitty.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • There are store cats everywhere that are hanging around, and the store kitties are very friendly.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Definition of kitty
Noun
  • But no, instead he is forced to bro out with all the guys, worst of which is Charlie, whom Brooks understandably has zero desire to spend any time with whatsoever.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026
  • But Toney isn’t awestruck, nor too afraid to speak up to the guy who once manned the middle of his boyhood team’s defense.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of guy
Noun
  • Catnip, the euphoria-inducing herb beloved by felines, was known to have insect repellent properties, though it had never been commercialized for that purpose.
    — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
  • Swift adopted the feline in 2014, and almost a decade later, Hargitay adopted her own cat in 2023, and named it Karma after the singer’s song of the same name from her album Midnights.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of feline
Noun
  • Richard Rutkowski, a gentleman as well as an exceptional talent, was happy to talk me through the practical logistics which went into building this small-but-important part of Duncan’s character development.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • There’s a resident big band that sets the tempo for dancing—there are even gentlemen hosts available for ladies—and a DJ rocks the small disco late into the night.
    — Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of gentleman
Noun
  • But maybe looking and sounding like a working-class dude who hates big corporations is not adequate qualification for high office—or even proof that you can be taken at your word.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
  • Mariana is not pleased to hear this, and he's got some rough-looking dudes with him.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of dude

Phrases Containing cat

Browse Nearby Words

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 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cat

Nglish: Translation of cat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cat

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