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
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Bring all people and pets to an inside room.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Keep children and pets away from the mound and bucket at all times.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
Snake bites can cause pain for you or your pets, and antivenom can run you thousands at the hospital, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
Not long after South Korea's 2024 ban on dog meat, Vietnamese officials said the government plans to rebuild parts of the legal system to better protect pets and the rights of their owners.
—ABC News, 17 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
If time allows, bring your pets.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 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
An Irvine animal trainer and his girlfriend were convicted of killing 11 dogs in their care and cremating their bodies to conceal how the pets died.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Bring all people and pets to an inside room.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Keep children and pets away from the mound and bucket at all times.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
Snake bites can cause pain for you or your pets, and antivenom can run you thousands at the hospital, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
Not long after South Korea's 2024 ban on dog meat, Vietnamese officials said the government plans to rebuild parts of the legal system to better protect pets and the rights of their owners.
—ABC News, 17 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
If time allows, bring your pets.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 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
-
Despite Algeria becoming the local darlings of Lawrence, KC Live!—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
New Zealand filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou — twins better known by their nom de YouTube RackkaRackka, where their violent, nutso videos were embraced by millions of viewers — became indie darlings thanks to their 2022 hit for A24, Talk to Me.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 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 20 Jun. 2026.
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