pat 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of patnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 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
Merrill helped Tatis to his feet and patted him on the chest. — CBS News, 31 July 2026 When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture. — Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
  1. stubborn
  2. perfectly
  3. caress
  4. adamant
  5. immaculately
  6. stroke
  7. steadfast
  8. finely
Adjective
  • Volatile job numbers, stubborn inflation and changes to the Fed’s communications style are all stirring up uncertainty in markets and raising the stakes for upcoming economic data releases — including this week’s inflation report.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The softening job market may complicate the calculation for the Federal Reserve, which is also battling stubborn inflation.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubborn
Adverb
  • His fifth curled through the legs of Tarik Muharemovic and perfectly to Joshua Zirkzee’s feet for his first-time finish.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • A little bit funny, a lot cheesy and completely, unabashedly earnest, her Liz is — like moms everywhere — at once a perfectly ordinary woman and the center of the universe.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Verb
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of caress
Adjective
  • But Powell was adamant about his right to set such parameters.
    — KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The family is also adamant that they were told by the hospital that by the time Lopez-Cornejo arrived there on Saturday, his heart was no longer beating.
    — Armando Garcia, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of adamant
Adverb
  • Six fit-for-a-billionaire log cabins are immaculately done—and recently refreshed—with a mix of designer and antique Western furniture, including the main lodge (Marley’s Lodge) with six suites, a chef’s kitchen, and gym.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
  • This boozy, creamy, milkshake-like cocktail is captured immaculately in pie form, with all the flavors and textures of that dangerously potent drink.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
Definition of immaculately
Verb
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of stroke
Adjective
  • King Edward, who ruled from 1901 until his death in 1910, had a wire-haired fox terrier named Caesar, who was his steadfast companion.
    — Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Musk remaind steadfast in his ambitious vision for the company, from orbital data centers to a fleet of humanoid robots that would enable large scale manufacturing on the surface of the Moon.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of steadfast
Adverb
  • The best type of tea to re-steep is anything that starts very potent, or features tea leaves that are on the larger, coarser side, rather than finely ground.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Find out for yourself in this finely detailed and utterly absorbing book, which reads like a thriller of the highest order.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of finely

Phrases Containing pat

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pasty
pat
patch
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Cite this Entry

“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pat

Nglish: Translation of pat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pat

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