as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
affectionately patted the baby on the head
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 patted
Jansen patted his catcher's mitt on Baumler's chest and the infielders offered their congratulations.
—
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
While most recipes dollop the biscuits on top, this dough is patted into a rough circle and scored into scone-like wedges.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Just days after Hollywood patted itself on the back at last week’s Academy Awards, the movie industry got a kick in the teeth from an unlikely source — an actor who’s been dead for nearly a year.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
His dad patted Joe’s shoulder again.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
After a short conversation, the two patted each other on the head a couple of times and separated, each heading toward his respective locker room.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
His attorney also submitted a video of Banfield learning of his wife's death, crying at times into his bloodied hands while a doctor patted his back.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
That was also the night Kelvin Sampson called time after a Pierce 3-pointer late in the game and patted Pierce on the backside in a show of sportsmanship as Pierce exited the game, his last game at Allen.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
While most recipes dollop the biscuits on top, this dough is patted into a rough circle and scored into scone-like wedges.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Just days after Hollywood patted itself on the back at last week’s Academy Awards, the movie industry got a kick in the teeth from an unlikely source — an actor who’s been dead for nearly a year.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
His dad patted Joe’s shoulder again.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
After a short conversation, the two patted each other on the head a couple of times and separated, each heading toward his respective locker room.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
His attorney also submitted a video of Banfield learning of his wife's death, crying at times into his bloodied hands while a doctor patted his back.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
That was also the night Kelvin Sampson called time after a Pierce 3-pointer late in the game and patted Pierce on the backside in a show of sportsmanship as Pierce exited the game, his last game at Allen.
—Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patted
Verb
-
In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In one photo, the couple posed on the beach while Wyatt caressed her growing baby bump.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Davidson, a 6-foot-1 freshman, stroked a perfect shot from the right side to send the Trojans (18-13) into a second-round matchup with top seed South Carolina on Monday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
One contestant in a Travis Kelce butt cut leaped over an ironing board; another held a tape measure to his crotch and stroked it.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patted. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
