as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
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Recent Examples of petted
Cats usually tire themselves out and will be more amenable to being touched or petted.
—
Joan Morris, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025
The Holy Father toured the project grounds, fed fish, petted horses and celebrated a liturgy for the program’s students, workers and their families.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Violet carefully reached her arm over and gently petted him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Joan Morris, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025
The Holy Father toured the project grounds, fed fish, petted horses and celebrated a liturgy for the program’s students, workers and their families.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Violet carefully reached her arm over and gently petted him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petted
Verb
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In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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In one photo, the couple posed on the beach while Wyatt caressed her growing baby bump.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Walking onto the rostrum to deliver his eighth and final State of the State address, Governor Ron DeSantis patted Senate President Ben Albritton on the back and shook his hand.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
18 Jan. 2026
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After the Bears' improbable comeback in the regular season, the handshake lasted a tad longer, as both coaches patted each other on the arm before going their separate ways.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petted. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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