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
Velvet Wu
june 23,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Make sure your pets have plenty to drink.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Best Practices and Safety Precautions Like any product, diatomaceous earth needs to be applied correctly to actually work and to stay safe for you, your family, and pets.
—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
24 June 2026
At a time when shelters are looking for every possible way to help pets find homes, Muttville is thinking outside the litter box.
—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Bring all people and pets to an inside room.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 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
Pat Mueller,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Feed pets indoors, remove birdseed, and avoid feeding squirrels.
—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
18 May 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
Effects on veterans, pets Speakers also highlighted how fireworks affect veterans, people with disabilities and pets.
—
Velvet Wu
june 23,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Make sure your pets have plenty to drink.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Best Practices and Safety Precautions Like any product, diatomaceous earth needs to be applied correctly to actually work and to stay safe for you, your family, and pets.
—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
24 June 2026
At a time when shelters are looking for every possible way to help pets find homes, Muttville is thinking outside the litter box.
—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Bring all people and pets to an inside room.
—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 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
Verb
As the finalists from each state move on to the 'Best Pet in Nation' round of the Pet Lovers' Choice Awards, the team at USA TODAY Pets has gathered all the finalists, runner-ups and third place pets from each region.
—
Pat Mueller,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Feed pets indoors, remove birdseed, and avoid feeding squirrels.
—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
18 May 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
-
That moves Morocco — one of the favorites to go all the way — into first place in Group C, while Scotland falls to second.
-
Cape Verde shocked the world by pulling off a scoreless draw against reigning European champions Spain (one of the favorites in this year’s World Cup).
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.
-
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.
Noun
-
Outside of the hospital, Emmy darlings Julianne Nicholson and Allison Janney should score nominations for their work on Paradise and The Diplomat, respectively.
-
That changed on Monday, when Cape Verde and its 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became early darlings of the World Cup after holding European champion Spain, one of the tournament favorites, to a scoreless draw in their opening match.
Verb
-
The Princess Diaries star smiles, caresses her belly, then ducks out of the frame.
-
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.
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.
-
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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