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

In this case, there’s no swiping or rubbing at all—just let the pads sit and soak in for a few minutes before gently patting in the excess. — Jenny Jin, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026

To dry-brine a turkey, first remove the neck and giblets from the cavity, then pat the bird dry with paper towels. — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing pat

• pat on the back