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
Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Without it, pets, especially cats, could experience a deficiency that can lead to neurological issues, seizures, and even death.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
The New World screwworm fly—a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the open wounds of not only livestock like cattle, but also pets and humans in some cases—was discovered in Texas last week for the first time since 1966.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Brown spots in grass can result from pets, insects, soil issues, or fungal diseases.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
The back seats are more occasional—think of them like the ones in the back of a Porsche 911, there for small children, small pets, more luggage, or emergencies.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026
If time allows, bring your pets.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Please make sure you, your family, and pets are taking breaks from the heat and staying properly hydrated.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 10 June 2026
The parasite is also a threat to wildlife and pets.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
The best way to remove ticks from your property is to keep up with general yard maintenance, especially around bushes that pets frequently brush up against.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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
Hot weather can be especially dangerous for pets, according to the American Red Cross.
—Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Without it, pets, especially cats, could experience a deficiency that can lead to neurological issues, seizures, and even death.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
The New World screwworm fly—a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the open wounds of not only livestock like cattle, but also pets and humans in some cases—was discovered in Texas last week for the first time since 1966.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 June 2026
Brown spots in grass can result from pets, insects, soil issues, or fungal diseases.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
The back seats are more occasional—think of them like the ones in the back of a Porsche 911, there for small children, small pets, more luggage, or emergencies.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026
If time allows, bring your pets.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026
Please make sure you, your family, and pets are taking breaks from the heat and staying properly hydrated.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 10 June 2026
The parasite is also a threat to wildlife and pets.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Verb
Feed pets indoors, remove birdseed, and avoid feeding squirrels.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
The best way to remove ticks from your property is to keep up with general yard maintenance, especially around bushes that pets frequently brush up against.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 25 Apr. 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
-
From rich Trudon classics to elegant Diptyque staples and earthy picks from Flamingo Estate, our editors buy and burn their favorites again and again.—
Alexandra Ditch,
Vogue,
7 Dec. 2025
-
Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori Ristorante e Pizzeria Sapori, one of Storey’s favorites, can be found inside the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Dec. 2025
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.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Take a peek inside where the revenues for these AI darlings will come from.—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
Since its heyday in the early and mid-2000s, the brand quietly made a resurgence, garnering partnerships with music industry darlings like Megan Thee Stallion and Zara Larsson.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The camera caresses her, slicing her body into limbs, arcs, glints of effort.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
In the now-viral video, Otis lies limp and unimpressed while his dad, Jake, strokes his leg with a concerned arm around him.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
