Synonyms of pet

pet 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpet 

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others

the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges

Synonyms & Similar Words

• favorite
• darling
• cup of tea
• preference
• minion
• speed
• beloved
• fave
• dear
• treasure
• sweetheart
• prize
• jewel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abomination
• anathema
• bugbear
• bête noire

pet

2 of 4

noun (2)

as in pouts

a state of resentful silence or irritability

the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pouts
• dumps
• blues
• irritableness
• irritability
• sensitivity
• snit
• sulk
• sulkiness
• fretfulness
• sullenness
• grouch
• hump
• crossness
• peevishness
• mopes
• pettishness
• perversity
• disagreeableness
• crankiness
• fantods
• surliness
• waspishness
• grumpiness
• grouchiness
• crotchetiness
• biliousness
• dyspepsia
• irascibility
• testiness
• petulance
• cantankerousness
• choler
• orneriness
• irascibleness
• perverseness
• oversensitiveness
• querulousness
• fussiness
• huffiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cheerfulness
• gaiety
• friendliness
• sociability
• lightheartedness
• amenity
• perkiness
• sociality
• cordiality
• geniality
• affability
• gladsomeness
• pleasantness
• high-spiritedness
• agreeableness
• graciousness
• amicability
• amiability
• amiableness
• good-temperedness
• good-humoredness
• good-naturedness

pet

3 of 4

adjective

as in beloved

granted special treatment or attention

spent my free time on my pet project

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beloved
• loved
• cherished
• favorite
• precious
• special
• darling
• sweet
• favored
• adored
• dear
• fond
• white-headed
• fair-haired
• treasured
• appreciated
• admired
• revered
• esteemed
• preferred
• prized
• relished

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disliked
• hated
• detested
• despised
• ignored
• forgotten
• abhorred
• disfavored
• loathed
• abandoned
• unbeloved
• unfavorite
• alienated
• disdained
• abominated
• estranged
• execrated

pet

4 of 4

verb

as in to pat

to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner

a cat who loves to be petted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pat
• stroke
• caress
• love
• hug
• fondle
• cradle
• gentle
• cuddle
• paw
• snuggle
• nuzzle
• baby
• neck
• bill
• spoon
• nose
• massage
• nestle
• feel up
• canoodle
• pamper
• knead
• enfold
• dandle
• coddle
• embrace
• bounce
• indulge
• spoil
• mollycoddle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pet

Noun

Seventy-two hours later, the team did it again, moving another planeload of pets to safety. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Adoption fees for all pets, except horses, will be 50% off throughout August as part of the national Clear the Shelters campaign. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026

Adjective

Store pet food and livestock feed inside or in a hard-sided, locked building. — Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026

Items with strong odors, pet hair, or hygiene concerns are often rejected by thrift stores. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 28 July 2026

Verb

The farm is also holding a Fairy Festival on July 18 and 19 featuring scavenger hunts, fairy stories and other activities in addition to the usual hayrides, petting farm and pony rides. — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026

For help picking or upgrading your setup, this full guide to pet feeding stations covers what to look for. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

Phrases Containing pet

• in a pet
• pet peeve