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
Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Like K-9s or pets, Dills said the officers and horses must build a rapport with each other.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Most beaches in Martin County are also dog-friendly, allowing for on-leash pets.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
He was surrendered because his past owner’s lease only allowed for a limited number of pets, the shelter wrote in its social media post and in an email to McClatchy News.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Beyond being fun, toys help dogs develop instincts, provide stimulation, and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Comfortable and easy to clean, these bar stools are great for those with pets and kids.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
Dressing pets in Halloween costumes is a popular trend for the fall season.
—Trisha Easto, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Gather people and pets and leave immediately.
—Sarah Mlynowski, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
Feed pets indoors, or only put out enough for short time periods and bring leftovers and dishes back inside.
—C. A. Bridges, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Always keep yourself and pets away from algal blooms.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Slowing down and speeding up Daisy arrived in his life through his ex-wife, who was moving to a new place that was dubious about pets.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Like K-9s or pets, Dills said the officers and horses must build a rapport with each other.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Most beaches in Martin County are also dog-friendly, allowing for on-leash pets.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
He was surrendered because his past owner’s lease only allowed for a limited number of pets, the shelter wrote in its social media post and in an email to McClatchy News.
—Simone Jasper, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Beyond being fun, toys help dogs develop instincts, provide stimulation, and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Comfortable and easy to clean, these bar stools are great for those with pets and kids.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
Dressing pets in Halloween costumes is a popular trend for the fall season.
—Trisha Easto, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Gather people and pets and leave immediately.
—Sarah Mlynowski, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Feed pets indoors, or only put out enough for short time periods and bring leftovers and dishes back inside.
—C. A. Bridges, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
That embryonic Xenomorph then shatters its container and leaps at Wendy, who pets it gently.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Always keep yourself and pets away from algal blooms.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
And the Lynx was the winningest team in the league during the regular season, and the favorites to win the championship, until Collier was knocked out of the playoffs.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There are many resorts to choose from in Baa Atoll, but one of my favorites is Finolhu, which opened in 2016 with 125 villas.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The clip, shared by Sarah Ingle (@saraheingle), a dedicated dog fosterer, shows seven-month-old Cookie Crisps nestled in her arms while Ingle gently pats her bottom.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But more and more, Black List darlings wind up as buzzy Netflix curios like They Cloned Tyrone and May December.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Currently, her work has been worn by fashion icons Naomi Campbell and Anok Yai, as well as music darlings like Kelly Rowland, Cassie, and SZA.—
Essence,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
-
In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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