petting

verb

present participle of pet
as in caressing
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner a cat who loves to be petted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The accompanying video showed a baby Mabel smiling and reaching for her father, as well as various clips of the new teenager traveling, playing at the park, and petting a cute dog at a bookstore. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 The actor stars in a new social media advertisement for the brand, in which he is shown playing the guitar, looking out on the beach and petting a dog. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 The farm is also holding a Fairy Festival on July 18 and 19 featuring scavenger hunts, fairy stories and other activities in addition to the usual hayrides, petting farm and pony rides. — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026 Live music, food and drink vendors, bounce houses, Highland cow petting and games will be set up across the El Dorado County fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon. — Camila Pedrosa july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 Sam and Katie Larimer of Lake Bluff brought their daughter Rosie, 2, who spent some time petting Squeeze. — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Resulting from collaboration between policymakers, advocates, and law enforcement, the Act achieved its goals, reducing the number of unwanted captive big cats, shutting down cub-petting operations, and enhancing the safety of communities. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026 In one clip, the keeper is seen petting Big Al on the back while wearing gloves, explaining the method behind the hands-on approach. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026 My son loves the fun parts of puppy parenting like snuggling, petting, playing, and running together. — Angela Hatem, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petting
  1. caressing
  2. stroking
  3. patting
Verb
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Pulling out the rocket launcher Mac had bought him on the dark web, Dennis was genuinely overcome, caressing his bucket-list war weapon in stunned gratitude, while Mac beamed in what, on any other show, would be heartwarming friendship.
    — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of caressing
Verb
  • There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
    — Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
  • Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of stroking
Verb
  • Drake also used the opening portion of the stream to reflect on his recent releases, patting himself on the back a little for dropping three projects at once.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • All of this isn’t just Hollywood patting itself on the back, by the way, a self-congratulation that doesn’t make a peep outside the echo chamber/Peacock Theater.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of patting

Browse Nearby Words

pettiness
petting
pettish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petting. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on petting

Nglish: Translation of petting for Spanish Speakers

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