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
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
After the Bears' improbable comeback in the regular season, the handshake lasted a tad longer, as both coaches patted each other on the arm before going their separate ways.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The quarterback stood back there for three seconds and patted the ball and threw it down the field.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Edwards went over to the center after the play, discussed the situation, patted Gobert and moved forward.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump patted Mamdani on the arm at one point and repeatedly patted his hand.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
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
After the Bears' improbable comeback in the regular season, the handshake lasted a tad longer, as both coaches patted each other on the arm before going their separate ways.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The quarterback stood back there for three seconds and patted the ball and threw it down the field.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Edwards went over to the center after the play, discussed the situation, patted Gobert and moved forward.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 2026
Trump patted Mamdani on the arm at one point and repeatedly patted his hand.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
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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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
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Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patted. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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