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
Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
Wifi is free, and pets are welcome.
—Sandra Ramani, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, bundle up in layers and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets.
—Justin Lewis, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Several of our reviewers live with pets, have asthma or allergies, or were hoping the devices would keep areas like the kitchen and bedroom fume-free.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026
Here are six ways to keep pets from eating your houseplants.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Maybe some creatures–vampiric ones–just aren’t meant to be pets.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 21 Jan. 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
Diatomaceous Earth Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder, made from fossilized algae, that is completely non-toxic to humans and pets but deadly to many insects—including ants.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
Wifi is free, and pets are welcome.
—Sandra Ramani, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, bundle up in layers and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets.
—Justin Lewis, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Several of our reviewers live with pets, have asthma or allergies, or were hoping the devices would keep areas like the kitchen and bedroom fume-free.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2026
Here are six ways to keep pets from eating your houseplants.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Maybe some creatures–vampiric ones–just aren’t meant to be pets.
—Blair Braverman, Outside, 21 Jan. 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
-
Once news broke that Nix would miss the game and Stidham would start, the Patriots were listed as favorites in the game.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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The same is true for Morgan, who along with Morgan, has ranked among the Royal Rumble betting favorites.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Other companies scheduled to report are market darlings SanDisk and Western Digital , as well as Deckers, and Stryker.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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While sitting front row at the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show on January 28, the London society darlings seemingly nodded to their status as British sartorial tastemakers with an NSFW twist on power dressing.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 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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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
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Research shows the risk of stroke also rises this time of year, and strokes present differently than heart attacks.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
17 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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