as in stubborn
sticking to an opinion, purpose, or course of action in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion
on the issue of raising taxes the governor stands pat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in perfectly
without any flaws or errors
after months of practicing for the competition, the cheerleaders have their moves down pat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
affectionately patted the baby on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pat
Noah Berlatsky, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2022
There’s a 1785 pastel portrait by Irish artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton, depicting the English bon-vivant ex-pat, George Clavering Cowper, the 3rd Earl Cowper, who spent his adulthood in Italy as a patron of science and the arts.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 12 Jan. 2023
Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Adjective
The balance changes from story to story, and sometimes the genre conventions feel too pat, as genre conventions will.
—Noah Berlatsky, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2022
There’s a 1785 pastel portrait by Irish artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton, depicting the English bon-vivant ex-pat, George Clavering Cowper, the 3rd Earl Cowper, who spent his adulthood in Italy as a patron of science and the arts.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 12 Jan. 2023
Adverb
When the grill is nice and hot, pat dry the scallops with a paper towel.
—Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Verb
It can be pat on the skin under the eyes, but should be used with extreme care.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
Beneath its surface were deep, dark scars—grooves cut through the rock by old lava flows, now overgrown with stubborn green.—
Tess Moormans,
Travel + Leisure,
27 July 2025
-
The fizzing reaction can help remove stubborn residues.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Adverb
-
But how do Love Island producers seem to find a song that perfectly matches a moment on the show?—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
29 July 2025
-
Newcastle United had the summer window mapped out perfectly.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
The Argentina captain caressed the ball and laid it softly on the Hard Rock Stadium grass.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
-
Groff sang his song as Reeves looked into the camera with wide eyes and at one point, reached down to caress Reeves’ chest and face.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Liverpool communicated an interest in acquiring the Sweden international for around £120m, though Newcastle have been adamant for months that Isak is not for sale.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
The Marlins jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning Tuesday when Otto Lopez stroked a two-out single and scored on a throwing error after Ramírez’s infield single.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
-
Nineteen seconds later, her pass from below the basket went out to Collier, who calmly stroked another trey for a 12-point cushion.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Our volunteer firefighters represent the best of us, exemplifying a steadfast commitment to service and sacrifice.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
29 July 2025
-
Greek life, despite its understandable divisiveness, is a steadfast tradition on most Southern college campuses.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
27 July 2025
Adverb
-
Just pulse the fillet in a food processor until finely chopped, then toss it with fresh, whole-wheat breadcrumbs (made in the same processor), as well as ginger, garlic, scallion and cilantro.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
Pulse several times until the basil is finely chopped and evenly distributed through the salt.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Mothers crying out loud for their children, and fathers hugging their children close to their chests.—
Troy Onyango,
Time,
24 July 2025
-
In this sweet, candid moment, Lopez hugs her babies while backstage on the Marry Me set.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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