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
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
Wilson, 29, was sitting on the ground, petting the two pups, when suddenly the Boerboel lunged and latched onto her nose.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 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
Sometimes just petting a cat helps.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
In a another moment, Sharon is seen gently petting a bird, followed by a playful scene where another bird perches atop Kelly’s winter hat.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
Frankie returned the sentiment by clapping his hands after petting the dog.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
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
Wilson, 29, was sitting on the ground, petting the two pups, when suddenly the Boerboel lunged and latched onto her nose.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 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
Sometimes just petting a cat helps.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
In a another moment, Sharon is seen gently petting a bird, followed by a playful scene where another bird perches atop Kelly’s winter hat.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
Frankie returned the sentiment by clapping his hands after petting the dog.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petting
Verb
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The Young Pope star was seen caressing Coan’s back and whispering in her ear.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The singer was spotted in pictures shared to social media, gently caressing the baby bump of his romantic partner.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
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Sometimes just stroking the ball to the other field, as Andres Gimenez did to drive in a run, or rolling one through the hole as Addison Barger did for an RBI in that inning, works just as well.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
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One game, especially one so dominated by the defense, certainly isn’t enough to decide whether this is even an issue, but noted QB whisperer O’Connell has to be stroking his chin.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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That’s cute, today’s masters of the universe will chuckle while patting your head.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petting. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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