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
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
-
The Rams are currently the favorites to win the Super Bowl, regardless of what your favorite book is.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Offering trend-forward styles for both men and women, this assortment includes year-round favorites designed for all-day comfort.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Tuanzebe buries his head in Bakambu’s neck and pats his back repeatedly.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
There's a big rotation happening in the market on Thursday, with investors selling their AI darlings and moving into groups that have been left behind this year.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
The Mean Green were a loss in their conference championship game away from making it to the College Football Playoff last season, and many are viewing the Cowboys as CFP darlings this year, due in no small part to both Mestemaker and Morris making the trip north on I-35.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
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 11 Jun. 2026.
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