as in caressing
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 petting
In the black-and-white shot, Stewart, 35, and Meyer, 38 — still in their casual wedding attire — can be seen crouching down next to each other while happily petting their dog.
—
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
In the Instagram video posted Saturday, Bardot is seen gently petting a young Doberman named Urphé, who suffered from severe generalized arthritis.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Fair officials confirmed, however, there were no hand-washing stations with soap and running water attached to the petting exhibit.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Touch may play a role as well, with research showing that blood pressure can drop simply from petting a dog.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Attractions covered by admission include a Lainey Wilson corn maze, hay ride, cow and pumpkin trains, carousel, zip line, jumping pillows, obstacle course, petting farm, mechanical swings and slides, musical shows and so much more.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
The petting farm is one of the ways Cornucopia Farm weaves agricultural education into fun activities.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 2025
Last November, the pair made headlines when Stewart lightly pushed Barrymore — who was casually petting her shoulder — away from her during a conversation about relationships on the latter's talk show.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
More than 33 varieties of apples, as well as pumpkins, pears, and sunflowers and a petting farm are available.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
In the Instagram video posted Saturday, Bardot is seen gently petting a young Doberman named Urphé, who suffered from severe generalized arthritis.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
Fair officials confirmed, however, there were no hand-washing stations with soap and running water attached to the petting exhibit.
—Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Touch may play a role as well, with research showing that blood pressure can drop simply from petting a dog.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
Attractions covered by admission include a Lainey Wilson corn maze, hay ride, cow and pumpkin trains, carousel, zip line, jumping pillows, obstacle course, petting farm, mechanical swings and slides, musical shows and so much more.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
The petting farm is one of the ways Cornucopia Farm weaves agricultural education into fun activities.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 2025
Last November, the pair made headlines when Stewart lightly pushed Barrymore — who was casually petting her shoulder — away from her during a conversation about relationships on the latter's talk show.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2025
More than 33 varieties of apples, as well as pumpkins, pears, and sunflowers and a petting farm are available.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petting
Verb
-
The 39-year-old Nigerian-British actress hit the first official awards show of the season, donning a canary yellow gown and caressing her bump as the cameras flashed.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In one instance, Alix leans in to whisper something in his ear while caressing his back.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the black-and-white video, MGK could be seen holding his baby daughter's hand, stroking her fingers.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
25 Nov. 2025
-
At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sprinkle the salt mixture all over the turkey, including inside the cavity, patting to adhere and nudging some into the crevices.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Taken together, the answers provided a sort of battle-damage assessment of the current moment, the kind undertaken while everyone is still patting themselves to figure out which parts survived the explosion intact.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petting. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
