pet 1 of 4

Definition of petnext
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pet

2 of 4

noun (2)

pet

3 of 4

adjective

pet

4 of 4

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pet
Noun
Performance Rug Messes are inevitable — that’s why this traditional rug with a distressed pattern is ideal for busy homes with kids and pets. Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026 Instead, wash the pet thoroughly with soap and water. Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Think about how often your toddler crawls near the dog bed or your kids toss pet toys around the living room. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026 What is the name of Elmo’s pet goldfish? Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
My dream guy occasionally nudged me to pet him or offer a treat. Jennifer Wolfgram, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026 This method creates a durable, washable bed that pets love. Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
Adjective
  • Author Jason Klamm tackles a key question about the beloved 1986 John Hughes film.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
  • In late 2024, Scheffler auctioned off his beloved 2012 GMC Yukon XL—the car his father gave him after college—through Heritage Auctions, with all proceeds benefiting Triumph Over Kid Cancer.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Wembanyama tumbled to the court and remained down for a minute while George patted him on the backside apologetically.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Will foundations stop patting themselves on the back for diversity pledges and start funding the Black innovation ecosystem at scale?
    Felecia Hatcher, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Nastiness can be framed as a function of mourning a loved one, as with Dorinda’s rants on RHONY; or despair over personal crises, as with RHOC star Shannon Beador’s DUI and car crash.
    Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
  • For those with loved ones still in Iran, this pause doesn't bring them any peace.
    Ubah Ali April 7, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Elton John doing a handstand on his keyboard, Roger Daltrey stroking a microphone, Ian Anderson making the flute somehow look cool — his pictures became a means of connection for fans.
    David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
  • At first, Hanke thought Miyabi was just stroking his ego.
    Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Donating formalwear helps others create cherished memories while freeing up space in your closet for new beginnings.
    Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026
  • This evocative tale explores the uncertainty of leaving home, even if departing means rejoining a cherished relationship.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Their voices caress each other as much as their wandering fingers do as two of country music’s best collaborators each add another blockbuster duet to their repertoire.
    Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • As investigators searched the area with the bamboo again, Horner smoked cigarettes and seemed relaxed, making small talk about his favorite foods, work schedules and the weather.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
  • For now, at least, there is no clear early favorite.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This is not to say that the artist herself, and her band, were as quiet as church mice, or that there was anything unduly precious about the performance.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
  • However, this new revenue stream is representative of the compute advantages Alphabet has over its peers, and compute is the most precious commodity in the AI race.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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