pet 1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpet How to pronounce pet (audio)
Definition of petnext
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pet

3 of 4

adjective

as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention spent my free time on my pet project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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
That’s where Trump claimed without evidence, during the 2024 presidential campaign, that Haitian immigrants were eating pets. — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 At the same time, pets provide emotional support for this generation. — Mita Malhotra, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
In one confidential research engagement involving first-time pet owners, his team looked beyond straightforward questions about product preference. — Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The largest gains will be pet supplies with a 64 percent increase, which is followed by wearable technology at 52 percent. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
The actor stars in a new social media advertisement for the brand, in which he is shown playing the guitar, looking out on the beach and petting a dog. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Supervise pets outdoors, especially in unfamiliar areas, and keep dogs from sniffing or chewing plants on trails and sidewalks. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
  1. favorite
  2. pouts
  3. beloved
  4. pat
  5. darling
  6. loved
  7. stroke
  8. cherished
Noun
  • Green lasers shot out into the crowd, revealing the faces of fans who’d waited all night on aching feet to see their favorites.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Before Vine was gone for good, volunteer internet archivists preserved many of its videos for posterity and Divine used this archive to restore some of the internet’s favorites.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorite
Noun
  • Interspersed with Mellencamp’s idiosyncratic views of himself were old press shots of the singer, many without a shirt or showcasing pouts and flexed biceps, that fit the song’s wry message.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • So how, exactly, did these polka-dot pouts make their way onto the mood board?
    — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 25 June 2026
Definition of pouts
Adjective
  • Damage to the remains could complicate evidence The discovery of human remains that set off a firestorm of questions about a possible link to Guthrie developed during an agonizing, monthslong search for the beloved mother.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In true Richards’ fashion, of course, Kyle transfers her distress into throwing yet another one of her overwrought white parties, whose guest list is filled with a caravan of beloved names in the Bravo-verse.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of beloved
Verb
  • Taken from their backside, the pair is seen carrying golf clubs as the former NSYNC star pats his son on the head.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Drake also used the opening portion of the stream to reflect on his recent releases, patting himself on the back a little for dropping three projects at once.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pat
Noun
  • The Beloved will face stiff competition from fellow Cannes darling La Bola Negra, which has many fans.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Every year brings a handful of new Netflix darlings — Adolescence dominated the awards circuit just last year!
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of darling
Adjective
  • Kennedy says that this shift in tone didn’t stem from her personal feelings but from the whistleblowers and the families who lost loved ones.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The rest of the photos showed Elizabeth side-by-side with her loved ones, including a silly photo of Elizabeth and Collins in a pool.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of loved
Verb
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of stroke
Adjective
  • The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archwell Productions partnered with Beautiful Stories and AJNA Films on the doc about one of America’s most cherished rituals, Girl Scout Cookie season.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • His return ensures continuity for fans of the annual tournament and allows Ravech to maintain a cherished assignment despite significant professional changes.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of cherished

Phrases Containing pet

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pesty
pet
petcock
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Cite this Entry

“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pet

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