Synonyms of pat

pat 1 of 3

adjective

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

• stubborn
• adamant
• steadfast
• hardened
• obstinate
• mulish
• hard
• bullheaded
• hardheaded
• unbending
• dogged
• unrelenting
• implacable
• obdurate
• unyielding
• uncompromising
• intransigent
• willful
• opinionated
• obsessive
• immovable
• adamantine
• strict
• persistent
• pertinacious
• inconvincible
• pigheaded
• ossified
• determined
• headstrong
• inflexible
• hard-nosed
• iron
• stern
• relentless
• perverse
• resolved
• unflinching
• wayward
• self-willed
• stiff-necked
• defiant
• self-opinionated
• tenacious
• deaf to reason
• firm
• rigid
• set
• inexorable
• hidebound
• wrongheaded
• recalcitrant
• severe
• hard-line
• uncooperative
• refractory
• cantankerous
• stouthearted
• cussed
• disobedient
• narrow-minded
• mutinous
• unruly
• contrary
• froward
• insubordinate
• unmanageable
• intractable
• single-minded
• anal-retentive
• contumacious
• insurgent
• hard-shell
• demanding
• indomitable
• invincible
• hell-bent
• confirmed
• bloody-minded
• inveterate
• unconquerable
• exacting
• unregenerate
• ungovernable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pliant
• acquiescent
• yielding
• amenable
• complying
• flexible
• compliant
• pliable
• obedient
• agreeable
• willing
• docile
• tractable
• submissive
• accepting
• receptive
• responsive
• reasonable
• relenting
• manageable
• placable
• temperate
• subservient
• slavish
• persuadable
• governable

pat

2 of 3

adverb

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

• perfectly
• immaculately
• finely
• to a nicety
• to a turn
• ideally
• exceptionally
• excellently
• flawlessly
• impeccably
• faultlessly
• specially
• to the nines
• to a T
• grandly
• fabulously
• marvelously
• superiorly
• superbly
• terrifically
• superlatively
• greatly
• fancily

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• badly
• imperfectly
• insufficiently
• inadequately
• defectively
• faultily
• incompletely
• deficiently
• amiss
• fallibly
• atrociously
• wretchedly
• execrably

pat

3 of 3

verb

as in to caress

to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner

affectionately patted the baby on the head

Synonyms & Similar Words

• caress
• stroke
• hug
• pet
• fondle
• love
• gentle
• cradle
• nuzzle
• cuddle
• snuggle
• paw
• spoon
• neck
• nose
• nestle
• knead
• massage
• feel up
• baby
• enfold
• bill
• canoodle
• pamper
• coddle
• dandle
• embrace
• bounce
• indulge
• spoil
• mollycoddle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pat

Adjective

Online antique shop owner and past ex-pat, Emily Mabe of Willow and Pearls in Spanish Fort, Alabama, says hunting for copper in France was among her favorite things to find. — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025

The film stars Oscar winner Brendan Fraser as Phillip Vandarploeug, an ex-pat American actor living in Tokyo. — Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025

Adverb

The 2016 draft was the last time the Bengals stayed pat through all seven rounds. — Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020

Verb

His goal late against the Leafs was due and showed his hands and dexterity for a big man taking a puck off the wall and patting it in at the post. — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Use paper towels to pat the halibut cubes dry, then transfer to a medium bowl. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing pat

• pat on the back