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
Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
And if your pets go outside without a bath afterward, their fur becomes a pollen carrier directly onto your couch and bedding.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators.
—Mark Price
april 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Logan’s script seems intent on making the case that Michael was simply a big kid, frequently cutting to him leafing through his beloved Peter Pan books, dreaming that Neverland is a real place, adoring animals (not his pets!
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Nampa and Meridian are participating in events Saturday as well, where people may dispose of prescription medications and over-the-counter meds — for pets as well as humans.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2026
While visiting a dog park near Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, only one of the five people WCCO talked with admitted to having insurance for their pets.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Kenya has previously fined Belgian teenagers who were found in possession of queen ants, which are used as delicacies and kept as pets in Europe and Asia.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
For safety and effectiveness, reapply repellent sprays after heavy rains, avoid using these sprays in areas where pets may come in contact with them, and don’t apply the sprays to active yellow jacket nests.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Sometimes pets like to use fringe as toys, so be extra cautious with cats and dogs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
If your pets go outside on high-pollen days, bathe them afterward — their fur carries allergens directly onto furniture and bedding.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
And if your pets go outside without a bath afterward, their fur becomes a pollen carrier directly onto your couch and bedding.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026
Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators.
—Mark Price
april 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Logan’s script seems intent on making the case that Michael was simply a big kid, frequently cutting to him leafing through his beloved Peter Pan books, dreaming that Neverland is a real place, adoring animals (not his pets!
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Nampa and Meridian are participating in events Saturday as well, where people may dispose of prescription medications and over-the-counter meds — for pets as well as humans.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2026
While visiting a dog park near Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, only one of the five people WCCO talked with admitted to having insurance for their pets.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Kenya has previously fined Belgian teenagers who were found in possession of queen ants, which are used as delicacies and kept as pets in Europe and Asia.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
For safety and effectiveness, reapply repellent sprays after heavy rains, avoid using these sprays in areas where pets may come in contact with them, and don’t apply the sprays to active yellow jacket nests.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Sometimes pets like to use fringe as toys, so be extra cautious with cats and dogs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These pets up for adoption in metro Phoenix shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
Join MyRecipes—your personal home for recipes—to easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In between there’s the elevated-casual Mistral for al fresco Mediterranean favorites like rack of lamb and seared scallops; the Evrima Room for white-table-cloth dining with wine pairings; and Talaat Nam for Thai-fusion and sushi options.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But when Sandel saw more chimps appear, the primates did not reunite in their typical fashion of loud screaming, pats on the back and holding hands.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
-
During the performance, the singer kneels down to hand Fox the award and pats his head before continuing on.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Names like Allan Deberton, Rafhael Barbosa, Tiago Melo and Nara Normande have launched festival darlings and have exciting new projects in the pipeline.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Arsenal enters the match as the favorite, but Sporting has been resilient in the Champions League, rebounding from a 3-0 loss to tournament darlings Bodo/Glimt with a 5-0 thrashing in Lisbon.—
Pueng Vongs,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Dec. 2025
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 26 Apr. 2026.
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