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
The guard then patted Clark on the shoulder.
—
Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
After Munich this year, Shelton patted himself on the back.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026
With the Mets taking a 2-1 lead, Rodón, clearly unhappy, appeared to curse at himself as Austin Wells patted him on the shoulder.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 May 2026
And the guy very kindly patted us on the back and said, ‘That’s not how this works.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2026
York’s belly still burns from that coach that patted it in San Antonio.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue, button-up shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.
—Grethel Aguila, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue button up-shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Next to Hofferth, Adam Johnson patted a projector.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
After Munich this year, Shelton patted himself on the back.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 25 May 2026
With the Mets taking a 2-1 lead, Rodón, clearly unhappy, appeared to curse at himself as Austin Wells patted him on the shoulder.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 May 2026
And the guy very kindly patted us on the back and said, ‘That’s not how this works.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2026
York’s belly still burns from that coach that patted it in San Antonio.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue, button-up shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.
—Grethel Aguila, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue button up-shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Next to Hofferth, Adam Johnson patted a projector.
—Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patted
Verb
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Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Mihyia Davis stroked the next pitch off Slimp’s glove in left for a double and Williams moved to third.—
Tim Willert,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
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After a popout to second by first baseman Jordan Woolery, shortstop Aleena Garcia stroked an RBI single to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patted. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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