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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Unlike her wryly astute essays, the playwright scarcely reckons with the thorny nuances of mourning, and instead settles for a rather pat depiction of grief.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Salvador Rizzo, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2018
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
U T Opinion, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Adjective
Twain has long been accused of giving Huck Finn an overly pat, comic ending.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Unlike her wryly astute essays, the playwright scarcely reckons with the thorny nuances of mourning, and instead settles for a rather pat depiction of grief.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
Adverb
The use of police pat-downs declined as a result starting in late 2015, according to Cassell and Fowles.
—Salvador Rizzo, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2018
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Verb
Just pat ’em on the back and get ’em out.
—U T Opinion, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The 27-yard dart, perfectly thrown to the goal line, unlocked a tie at 27 on the first play of the fourth quarter.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
For makeup, Sweeney’s hot pink eyeliner perfectly complemented her pastel gown.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Back in January 2024, when Sportico was first to report on Florida State’s conversations with Sixth Street and Arctos Partners, many around the process were adamant to point out that those conversations were private credit (or private capital), not private equity.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Giuffre was adamant that the pain, including several attempts at suicide in the past few years, was part of her story.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The fabric is breathable and immaculately drapey, lending a bohemian aesthetic to this $35 lounge outfit.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is one of the most gorgeous and immaculately constructed films ever made, and that attention to detail extends to the scene in which the titular helpmeet Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri) uses a lollipop to teach Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) how to kiss.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The Tigers tied the game in the eighth when Spencer Torkelson stroked a two-run double off reliever Matt Brash, who wound up getting the win.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Davis, a staunch libertarian, is one of the company’s steadfast defenders.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Odinga, who served prison time for his steadfast support for democracy and political reform, played a critical role in replacing a colonial-era charter with the country’s current constitution, which imposes clearer limits on presidential power.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
For now, the researchers say the discovery shows how finely balanced the body’s cellular responses are, and how small changes in that balance can mean the difference between a harmless sign of aging and a life-threatening disease.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Its world is finely wrought, its lead performance — from producer Blake Lively — is soulful and surprising.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share