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
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Keep the porch lights on, light the walkway to your door and keep your pets away from trick-or-treaters.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
The drop in temperatures comes as several states have already experienced their first frost or hard freeze, with NWS meteorologists advising people to bring pets and plants indoors as far south as Texas and Alabama as winter temperatures take hold.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Each cemetery would be free to set its own rules about what kinds of pets and size limits are allowed.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
As one of Middle Tennessee’s largest fall festivals, the event is packed with family-friendly activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, shopping, arts & crafts, and more.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
The number of beloved pets who die of age or illness is unknown but might be less than the eleven thousand dogs and cats euthanized in shelters weekly.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These are the pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
All pets in Louisville are required to be vaccinated against rabies.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
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
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
According to Spirit Halloween’s X account, the only pets allowed in stores are service dogs.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Keep the porch lights on, light the walkway to your door and keep your pets away from trick-or-treaters.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
The drop in temperatures comes as several states have already experienced their first frost or hard freeze, with NWS meteorologists advising people to bring pets and plants indoors as far south as Texas and Alabama as winter temperatures take hold.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Each cemetery would be free to set its own rules about what kinds of pets and size limits are allowed.
—Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
As one of Middle Tennessee’s largest fall festivals, the event is packed with family-friendly activities, live music, costume contests for pets and families, shopping, arts & crafts, and more.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
The number of beloved pets who die of age or illness is unknown but might be less than the eleven thousand dogs and cats euthanized in shelters weekly.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Other big stories ➤ These are the pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025
All pets in Louisville are required to be vaccinated against rabies.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
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
-
The Irish will likely be 20-point favorites against Navy, Syracuse and Stanford, with only the visit to Pittsburgh in two weeks a potential tripwire.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
These four fall favorites both taste great and protect your smile long after that last candy wrapper is gone.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 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
-
The Seminoles were 13-0, playoff darlings, swagger restored, the logo gleaming again like a championship promise.—
D’Joumbarey Moreau,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The assumption now, of course, is that the 2025 Jays aren’t only Canada’s team but have become the darlings of most of North America.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
23 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 Nov. 2025.
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