as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
affectionately patted the baby on the head
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Recent Examples of patted
While most recipes dollop the biscuits on top, this dough is patted into a rough circle and scored into scone-like wedges.
—
Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Just days after Hollywood patted itself on the back at last week’s Academy Awards, the movie industry got a kick in the teeth from an unlikely source — an actor who’s been dead for nearly a year.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
His dad patted Joe’s shoulder again.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
After a short conversation, the two patted each other on the head a couple of times and separated, each heading toward his respective locker room.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
His attorney also submitted a video of Banfield learning of his wife's death, crying at times into his bloodied hands while a doctor patted his back.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
That was also the night Kelvin Sampson called time after a Pierce 3-pointer late in the game and patted Pierce on the backside in a show of sportsmanship as Pierce exited the game, his last game at Allen.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Its ultra-lightweight texture sinks in quickly with no stickiness, and just a couple of drops patted into the skin is enough to target blemishes, blackheads, and congestion across all skin types.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Just days after Hollywood patted itself on the back at last week’s Academy Awards, the movie industry got a kick in the teeth from an unlikely source — an actor who’s been dead for nearly a year.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
His dad patted Joe’s shoulder again.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
After a short conversation, the two patted each other on the head a couple of times and separated, each heading toward his respective locker room.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
His attorney also submitted a video of Banfield learning of his wife's death, crying at times into his bloodied hands while a doctor patted his back.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
That was also the night Kelvin Sampson called time after a Pierce 3-pointer late in the game and patted Pierce on the backside in a show of sportsmanship as Pierce exited the game, his last game at Allen.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Its ultra-lightweight texture sinks in quickly with no stickiness, and just a couple of drops patted into the skin is enough to target blemishes, blackheads, and congestion across all skin types.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patted
Verb
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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
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In one photo, the couple posed on the beach while Wyatt caressed her growing baby bump.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the end of the table, Faris, an Iranian refugee who had ended up on drugs, stroked a glass of tea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patted. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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