as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pouts
a state of resentful silence or irritability
the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention
spent my free time on my pet project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to pat
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pet
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
The department also told people not to leave pet food outdoors, to supervise pets at all times when outside and to avoid placing certain foods in compost piles, as well as never attempting to approach a bear.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 June 2025
ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
In the early years, weekend adventures with my daughter followed a script: a park, a pet store, a local bakery or maybe somewhere for lunch.
—Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025
In California, individuals must possess a permit to touch or handle owls, so the owl could not be pet by the partygoers, but the group still enjoyed looking at and learning about the wide-eyed bird.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Noun
Note: This pet might have been adopted before publication.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
The department also told people not to leave pet food outdoors, to supervise pets at all times when outside and to avoid placing certain foods in compost piles, as well as never attempting to approach a bear.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
But there are mixed results on how courts enforce other interests of the dead—like a famous writer's request to destroy all unpublished work or a pet lover's insistence to destroy their cat or dog at death.
—ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
In the early years, weekend adventures with my daughter followed a script: a park, a pet store, a local bakery or maybe somewhere for lunch.
—Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025
Verb
Experiences to enjoy together include from scavenger hunts and quesadilla-making classes to bountiful breakfasts at a giant live-edge wood table at Rancho Lola, where all members of the fam can eat and drink their hearts out before petting the farm animals and planting a tree together.
—Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025
In California, individuals must possess a permit to touch or handle owls, so the owl could not be pet by the partygoers, but the group still enjoyed looking at and learning about the wide-eyed bird.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet
Adjective
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An unusual number of the supporting players are beloved for one famous role — not just big parts, but eternal parts — that have so immortalized them in the public’s consciousness that their fictional identities have supplanted their real ones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
The beloved slugger known as Big Papi built this contemporary estate, located in the Pinecrest area of Miami-Dade County, from scratch.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Verb
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During her emotional testimony, Clark often patted her eyes with a tissue.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
-
Catcher Alexis Ramirez, seated next to Grant and Woolery in the interview room, patted Grant on the shoulder.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Verb
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More often than not, viewers see these people stroking them, hitching rides on their fins, or free diving within inches of their faces.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
-
When the researchers, who were funded by the N.I.H., used a wet paintbrush to stroke the rat pups — simulating the way a mother rat licks her offspring — these growth markers returned to normal.—
Alan Burdick,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
There’s a shot of Michele caressing her face, and another of Christopher fingering his wedding ring.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
28 May 2025
-
But Gallardo clandestinely documented her experience there; in the exhibition, a short, lo-fi video shows her hands slowly caressing those of Estela, an ailing senior citizen and former street worker who lived at Casa Xochiquetzal.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Host Cynthia Erivo was perhaps my favorite look of the evening: a Schiaparelli ensemble.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 June 2025
-
She’s cited Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Miss Saigon as some of her own favorite musicals.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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On Thursday, June 5, The Valley couple, 35 and 41 years old, respectively, welcomed their fourth child into the world, announcing the precious news on Instagram.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
6 June 2025
-
The wide-ranging punishments for such sinful behavior could include a prohibition on wearing gold and other precious jewelry, as well as large tithes to monastic orders and the poor.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The July 11 show at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, located across the river in Virginia from where the parade will take place in Washington, D.C., also had a special appearance from the Golden Knights – Army parachutists who will sail down from the skies during the parade.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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Seeing her husband again after such a long time, and after completing her countdown on the doorbell camera, was a special moment for Jimmi.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Who wouldn’t buy anything O’Connor, with his darling secret smile, tells them?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
The Allwood Timberline Cabin Tiny House caught our eye for a few noteworthy reasons, namely the darling front porch that’s perfect for lounging.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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