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
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Recent Examples of petting
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
In a follow-up post, Kate and William shared a video of Charlotte, which featured clips of her petting dogs and playing outdoors.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 2 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
At peace with life at home spent petting Lala and cuddling with his husband.
—Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
The character was previously only seen from behind or in close-ups of his hands petting his sinister white kitty.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 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
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
In a follow-up post, Kate and William shared a video of Charlotte, which featured clips of her petting dogs and playing outdoors.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 2 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
At peace with life at home spent petting Lala and cuddling with his husband.
—Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
The character was previously only seen from behind or in close-ups of his hands petting his sinister white kitty.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petting
Verb
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The couple posed for photos at the event, drawing attention to their gestating bundle of joy by framing and caressing Palvin’s belly.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Bill de Blasio had campaigned against aggressive policing, particularly the city’s controversial policy of briefly detaining people and patting them down for weapons.—
Elizabeth Glazer,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
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Agents executing a search warrant seized the phone and then found a second phone while patting Sprei down, Wang said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petting. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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