as in caressing
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
affectionately patted the baby on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patting
The dog then slumped into the boat, with one crew member gently patting it in comfort.
—
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Harry watched on, sitting next to Damian, and sometimes patting his back when Hurley became emotional, per Reuters.
—USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Kat Dorn, a makeup artist at LRN Beauty, recommends mixing this cleaning solution with a little lukewarm water and patting the brushes dry with a paper towel.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
During that time, policemen and policewomen, Black and white, approached Officer Daniel, hugging him, shaking his hand, patting him on the back, congratulating him — demonstrating an enormous outpouring of support and admiration.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2026
Sprinkle the salt mixture all over the turkey, including inside the cavity, patting to adhere and nudging some into the crevices.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Taken together, the answers provided a sort of battle-damage assessment of the current moment, the kind undertaken while everyone is still patting themselves to figure out which parts survived the explosion intact.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
That’s cute, today’s masters of the universe will chuckle while patting your head.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
In the video, officers are seen repeatedly patting the baby's back until Makai -- who was wearing pajamas adorned with police cars -- was able to breathe on his own.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Harry watched on, sitting next to Damian, and sometimes patting his back when Hurley became emotional, per Reuters.
—USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Kat Dorn, a makeup artist at LRN Beauty, recommends mixing this cleaning solution with a little lukewarm water and patting the brushes dry with a paper towel.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
During that time, policemen and policewomen, Black and white, approached Officer Daniel, hugging him, shaking his hand, patting him on the back, congratulating him — demonstrating an enormous outpouring of support and admiration.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2026
Sprinkle the salt mixture all over the turkey, including inside the cavity, patting to adhere and nudging some into the crevices.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
Taken together, the answers provided a sort of battle-damage assessment of the current moment, the kind undertaken while everyone is still patting themselves to figure out which parts survived the explosion intact.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
That’s cute, today’s masters of the universe will chuckle while patting your head.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
In the video, officers are seen repeatedly patting the baby's back until Makai -- who was wearing pajamas adorned with police cars -- was able to breathe on his own.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patting
Verb
-
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The actor followed her around at several events related to the wedding, eventually caressing the back of her arm and pressing his knee against hers under the table.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patting. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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