pet

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noun (1)

ˈpet

Synonyms of pet next

: a pampered and usually spoiled child

: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling

: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility

pet

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adjective

: kept or treated as a pet

: expressing fondness or endearment

a pet name

: favorite

a pet project

pet

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verb (1)

petted; petting

transitive verb

: to treat as a pet

: to stroke in a gentle or loving manner

: to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper

intransitive verb

: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck

petter noun

pet

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noun (2)

: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger

—usually used in the phrase in a pet

resigned in a pet

pet

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verb (2)

petted; petting

intransitive verb

: to take offense : sulk

pet

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Example Sentences

Adjective The mayor's pet project has been the construction of a new high school. spent my free time on my pet project

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Walk through the metal detector carrying your pet or guiding it by leash. —

Andrea Sachs, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Feb. 2023 Try to seek help before bringing your pet to the shelter. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2023 The center will host family-friendly activities, including toy and treat making, catnip planting, dog yoga, a stuffy animal clinic, paint your pet, and more throughout the weekend of March 11-12, according to Saturday's release. —

Mike Jones, Arkansas Online, 13 Feb. 2023 Spoil your precious pet with the delicious CBD Sweet Potato treats from Penguin. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2023 Make sure your pet is getting the appropriate treatment too! —

Women's Health, 27 Jan. 2023 Tell us something about your pet - all species are welcome - and send along a photo of the two of you. —

Jan Stalka, cleveland, 26 Jan. 2023 But choosing the right cat litter for you and your kitty can also be healthier for you, your pet, and for the environment. —

Lorraine Wilde, Treehugger, 23 Jan. 2023 If successful, the company will provide your pet with toys and treats to review, as well as quarterly salon treatments. —

Quartz, 17 Jan. 2023

Adjective

Some steam cleaners for carpets include attachments for specific uses like cleaning grout, removing pet hair, and steaming curtains, which generally add to the price. —

Casey Clark, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023 Since pet hair can be quite hard to see with the naked eye, this feature is especially appreciated. —

Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023 An open house date will be announced later where Dogtopia customers can meet the staff, mingle with other pet owners and tour the facility. —

William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 20 Mar. 2023 Plus, its dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different floor types and avoid getting tangled with pet hair. —

Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2023 Hundreds of thousands of San Antonio pet owners may unknowingly be breaking the law – but a free service can make things right immediately. —

Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2023 Is a cat curling up right next to the pet owner’s head? —

Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2023 Put one on and run it over a surface with a lot of pet hair, and the hair will allegedly cling to the glove and come right off. —

Kalina Newman, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2023 Vacuuming upholstered furniture was a breeze with the pet brush and crevice tool. —

Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2023

Verb

After almost 50 years from their trauma, watching my parent take the risk just to pet my new, calm dog was something really special. —

Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 21 Dec. 2022 She was never allowed to pet the dogs that lived in the shop garage, but the smell of mechanic perfume and the feel of lava soap is pure childhood nostalgia. —

Nicole Lazarus, Car and Driver, 7 Dec. 2022 One of my favorites is a series of features on a young boy from Louisiana who kept sneaking into a neighbor’s garage to pet their dog, because his had died. —

Steve Osunsami, ABC News, 12 May 2022 When the silhouette of Jeff King and his team came into focus and got closer, the three girls ran back toward the Boys and Girls’ building to see the racer up close and pet his dogs. —

Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Apr. 2022 Teach her to pet the dog on the top of the head and encourage her to help you by pouring water into his bowl. —

Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2022 Now, ahead of The Crown’s premiere, the King has set out on a trip across the U.K. to win hearts and minds, breaching protocol by accepting cheek kisses from fans and seeking out a corgi, his mother’s favorite breed, to pet on one rope line. —

Eliana Dockterman, Time, 3 Nov. 2022 The 104-year-old, the oldest resident at the Village Gate of Farmington retirement community in Connecticut, spent most of her life wanting to pet a penguin, and on June 1, her dream came true. —

Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE.com, 3 June 2022 Kane County Technologies Coordinator Blair Peters said people can’t help but want to pet the adorable 4-month-old Labradoodle who’s been shadowing him around the county’s government center in Geneva. —

Gloria Casas, chicagotribune.com, 11 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.