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

Although the county does not recommend this for pets larger than 15 pounds. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

The bewildered pet was fitted into a harness and lowered in three tandem rappels. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Earmarks, also commonly known as pork-barrel spending, allow lawmakers to advance pet projects in their districts with little oversight. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Housed within a residential tower, the hotel is also pet-friendly—expect to share the elevator with both business travelers and designer dogs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Guests can explore the property, pet and feed the horses or pay extra for horsemanship and riding lessons. — Olivianna Calmes, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Kenzie assumed the creature was a type of legless lizard native to Europe and started petting it. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing pet

• in a pet
• pet peeve