as in favorites
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
as in pats
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pets
Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Without it, pets, especially cats, could experience a deficiency that can lead to neurological issues, seizures, and even death.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
The New World screwworm fly—a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the open wounds of not only livestock like cattle, but also pets and humans in some cases—was discovered in Texas last week for the first time since 1966.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Brown spots in grass can result from pets, insects, soil issues, or fungal diseases.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
The back seats are more occasional—think of them like the ones in the back of a Porsche 911, there for small children, small pets, more luggage, or emergencies.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026
If time allows, bring your pets.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Please make sure you, your family, and pets are taking breaks from the heat and staying properly hydrated.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 10 June 2026
The parasite is also a threat to wildlife and pets.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
The best way to remove ticks from your property is to keep up with general yard maintenance, especially around bushes that pets frequently brush up against.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
This method creates a durable, washable bed that pets love.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Adoptable pets with black fur are less likely to be adopted, an article from Adopt a Report found.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Noun
Hot weather can be especially dangerous for pets, according to the American Red Cross.
—Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Without it, pets, especially cats, could experience a deficiency that can lead to neurological issues, seizures, and even death.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
The New World screwworm fly—a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the open wounds of not only livestock like cattle, but also pets and humans in some cases—was discovered in Texas last week for the first time since 1966.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Brown spots in grass can result from pets, insects, soil issues, or fungal diseases.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
The back seats are more occasional—think of them like the ones in the back of a Porsche 911, there for small children, small pets, more luggage, or emergencies.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026
If time allows, bring your pets.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Please make sure you, your family, and pets are taking breaks from the heat and staying properly hydrated.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 10 June 2026
The parasite is also a threat to wildlife and pets.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Verb
Feed pets indoors, remove birdseed, and avoid feeding squirrels.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
The best way to remove ticks from your property is to keep up with general yard maintenance, especially around bushes that pets frequently brush up against.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
This method creates a durable, washable bed that pets love.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Adoptable pets with black fur are less likely to be adopted, an article from Adopt a Report found.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
The spectacle continues today at Wrigley Field with a rotating cast of celebrities, athletes and Chicago-area favorites taking a turn on the microphone.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Switzerland, the heavy favorites to win Group B, controlled most of the first half with a 14-4 advantage in shots while controlling 75% of the possession.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Each function compares itself to that function at other companies of similar scale and the functional leader pats themselves on the back for being ahead or at least not behind.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Take a peek inside where the revenues for these AI darlings will come from.—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
Since its heyday in the early and mid-2000s, the brand quietly made a resurgence, garnering partnerships with music industry darlings like Megan Thee Stallion and Zara Larsson.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Those of us with a penchant for fashion have managed—not without effort—to put aside the knowing glances, caresses, and hugs to take in every detail of the look.—
Arancha Gamo,
Glamour,
7 June 2026
-
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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