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
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Don't let your pets near sick or dead animals or their droppings.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The national contest is designed to celebrate pets while raising money for the Best Friends Animal Society.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Prolonged exposure to the cold conditions will lead to hypothermia for people, pets, and livestock.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Make sure that pets and livestock have adequate food, unfrozen water, and warmth.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Ensure surfaces cleaned with Pine-Sol are thoroughly rinsed and free of chemicals before allowing pets access, as ingesting cleaning products can be harmful to animals.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Fabrics and floors with staying power In homes where pets will regularly be on the furniture, Bridgman is more likely to recommend performance fabric for upholstery.
—Kelley Bruss, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Who has pets, children or college degrees.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
Washington’s Department of Energy and Environment has told residents to avoid contact with the Potomac, not to fish in the water and to keep pets away from its banks.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Don't let your pets near sick or dead animals or their droppings.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
The national contest is designed to celebrate pets while raising money for the Best Friends Animal Society.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Prolonged exposure to the cold conditions will lead to hypothermia for people, pets, and livestock.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Make sure that pets and livestock have adequate food, unfrozen water, and warmth.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Ensure surfaces cleaned with Pine-Sol are thoroughly rinsed and free of chemicals before allowing pets access, as ingesting cleaning products can be harmful to animals.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Fabrics and floors with staying power In homes where pets will regularly be on the furniture, Bridgman is more likely to recommend performance fabric for upholstery.
—Kelley Bruss, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Who has pets, children or college degrees.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
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The collection includes classic Italian dishes like spaghetti carbonara and cacio e pepe, TikTok’s own feta pasta, vegetarian favorites like savory pasta with beans, and plenty of weeknight one-pot dinners.—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Feb. 2026
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Spanx’s Presidents’ Day sale has markdowns on more than 700 items, with our favorites starting at $29 for the best-selling Everyday Leggings.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Leading the way are Vogue cover star Rosalía, Olympian Alysa Liu, and street-style darlings.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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The absence of those factors is likely why none of his films broke through to reach a wider audience or became awards season darlings.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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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 21 Feb. 2026.
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