as in favorites
a person or thing that is preferred over others
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pets
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
If there's enough time, bring your pets with you.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Some called out for their pets.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Supervise pets at all times when outside.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Protecting pets from the heat, drinking plentiful water, staying hydrated during outdoor activities and taking breaks in the shade were among the weather service’s recommendations.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
This includes fur from pets treated for flea and tick prevention.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Mar. 2026
Just be sure to apply the product when pets and children aren’t around and follow the manufacturer’s application instructions for safety.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
Ensure pets are up-to-date on medications.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Afterward, the monster has a moment with Wendy, who pets its head, and communicates with it using clicking noises.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
As with most national parks, pets are allowed, but not on the trails.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
If there's enough time, bring your pets with you.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Some called out for their pets.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Supervise pets at all times when outside.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Protecting pets from the heat, drinking plentiful water, staying hydrated during outdoor activities and taking breaks in the shade were among the weather service’s recommendations.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
This includes fur from pets treated for flea and tick prevention.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Mar. 2026
Just be sure to apply the product when pets and children aren’t around and follow the manufacturer’s application instructions for safety.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Mar. 2026
Ensure pets are up-to-date on medications.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Afterward, the monster has a moment with Wendy, who pets its head, and communicates with it using clicking noises.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
Shop more of my mom’s favorites on Amazon and refresh your staples ahead of spring.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Check out our favorites below, starting at $114.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Inside the facility, Angela empties her pockets, a guard scans her with a metal-detection wand, pats her down and asks her to spread her legs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The reversal of fortunes is all the more striking, Moser and others say, because software stocks were Wall Street darlings in the years before AI’s ascent.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
-
As investors have witnessed capital shifting out of concentrated, high-valuation Mag 7 darlings, Dow constituents have enjoyed inflows as investors flock towards broader, higher-quality and inexpensive blue chips.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 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 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
