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
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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
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
Without missing a beat, the teen jumped into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and patting the customer on the back before the man sat back down.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 17 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
When tackle Jonah Laulu dropped an interception, Mahomes went over and patted him on the back.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
Without missing a beat, the teen jumped into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and patting the customer on the back before the man sat back down.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.—
Questlove,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
-
If the stain is stubborn, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and vinegar mixture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
His pass over the top of the defense was perfectly placed, allowing Flagg to catch it and do the rest.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Her accessories truly made the look, including a pair of crystal drop earrings, bowed stilettos, and a velvet bag, which perfectly matched Prince Harry’s velvety tux.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Nov. 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
-
The attorney general was adamant that if Running Fence broke the law, workers would be arrested and jailed, and contractors would lose their licenses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lownie is adamant that their friendship dates back to 1991.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 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
-
Their surfaces demand to be stroked so that fingertips register the contrast between rough concrete and polished terrazzo.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Sometimes just stroking the ball to the other field, as Andres Gimenez did to drive in a run, or rolling one through the hole as Addison Barger did for an RBI in that inning, works just as well.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The balance of power in Mississippi is shifting away from extremism and chaos and toward champions of working families, driven by Democrats’ steadfast commitment to their communities.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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But the disruption is already wreaking havoc on the normally steadfast program.—
Christian Orozco,
NBC news,
4 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Cover and pulse until the pistachios are finely ground.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Absolutely bonkers in the best way possible, Hellsing Ultimate offers a singular and finely tuned reinvention of the famous bloodsucker assassin.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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