as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
spent my free time on my pet project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to pat
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
While the overflow did not impact public water sources, residents in the area were advised to keep themselves and their pets from making contact with the water.
—Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 May 2025
There will be an online pet photo challenge and pet caricature artists (who will work from photos).
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025
In California, individuals must possess a permit to touch or handle owls, so the owl could not be pet by the partygoers, but the group still enjoyed looking at and learning about the wide-eyed bird.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Noun
Thousands of listings across online marketplaces and social media advertise virtual grape seeds, dragonfly pets and mangoes for sale.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
While the overflow did not impact public water sources, residents in the area were advised to keep themselves and their pets from making contact with the water.
—Maddie Carr, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Adjective
The cost of being a pet parent: Own a dog or cat is about to get more expensive.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 May 2025
There will be an online pet photo challenge and pet caricature artists (who will work from photos).
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Verb
Experiences to enjoy together include from scavenger hunts and quesadilla-making classes to bountiful breakfasts at a giant live-edge wood table at Rancho Lola, where all members of the fam can eat and drink their hearts out before petting the farm animals and planting a tree together.
—Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025
In California, individuals must possess a permit to touch or handle owls, so the owl could not be pet by the partygoers, but the group still enjoyed looking at and learning about the wide-eyed bird.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
Adjective
-
The beloved actor died from cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and obtained by TMZ.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
-
The beloved slugger known as Big Papi built this contemporary estate, located in the Pinecrest area of Miami-Dade County, from scratch.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
During her emotional testimony, Clark often patted her eyes with a tissue.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
-
Catcher Alexis Ramirez, seated next to Grant and Woolery in the interview room, patted Grant on the shoulder.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
After stroking a century at Perth in November as India captured the first Test, the legendary batsman then succumbed to uncertainty and the relentless probing of Pat Cummins’ team, scoring only 104 more runs in the next seven innings.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
Winner: Tie Titles and Text Premiere offers Photoshop-like control over title text formatting, with a vast number of adjustments and fonts such as kerning, leading, rotation, shadow, stroking, and tracking, just to name a few.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
There’s a shot of Michele caressing her face, and another of Christopher fingering his wedding ring.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
28 May 2025
-
But Gallardo clandestinely documented her experience there; in the exhibition, a short, lo-fi video shows her hands slowly caressing those of Estela, an ailing senior citizen and former street worker who lived at Casa Xochiquetzal.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
She’s cited Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Miss Saigon as some of her own favorite musicals.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
9 June 2025
-
Host Cynthia Erivo was perhaps my favorite look of the evening: a Schiaparelli ensemble.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
On Thursday, June 5, The Valley couple, 35 and 41 years old, respectively, welcomed their fourth child into the world, announcing the precious news on Instagram.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
6 June 2025
-
The wide-ranging punishments for such sinful behavior could include a prohibition on wearing gold and other precious jewelry, as well as large tithes to monastic orders and the poor.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
The news arrives just days before Duran Duran kick off their European and U.K. tour with Rodgers and CHIC joining as special guests.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
2 June 2025
-
McDonnell is a Times staff writer and Sánchez Vidal is a special correspondent.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Who wouldn’t buy anything O’Connor, with his darling secret smile, tells them?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
The Allwood Timberline Cabin Tiny House caught our eye for a few noteworthy reasons, namely the darling front porch that’s perfect for lounging.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share