as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of petted
Mary petted her hound-Lab mix, Mickey.
—
Matt Crossman, Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
The ones that perch on outdoor tables demanding to be petted.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Getting attention and being petted are his two favorite things.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 31 Jan. 2026
Cats usually tire themselves out and will be more amenable to being touched or petted.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025
The Holy Father toured the project grounds, fed fish, petted horses and celebrated a liturgy for the program’s students, workers and their families.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Violet carefully reached her arm over and gently petted him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Matt Crossman, Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
The ones that perch on outdoor tables demanding to be petted.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
Getting attention and being petted are his two favorite things.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 31 Jan. 2026
Cats usually tire themselves out and will be more amenable to being touched or petted.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 1 Dec. 2025
The Holy Father toured the project grounds, fed fish, petted horses and celebrated a liturgy for the program’s students, workers and their families.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Violet carefully reached her arm over and gently petted him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petted
Verb
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Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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With the Mets taking a 2-1 lead, Rodón, clearly unhappy, appeared to curse at himself as Austin Wells patted him on the shoulder.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
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Indiana Pacers executive vice president and assistant GM Ted Wu, sitting to Winger’s left, patted Winger on the back.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Freddie Freeman stroked a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fifth inning to put the Dodgers ahead 3-0.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
Last weekend, after Petteys stroked three doubles in a victory over Creighton, the Bluejays showed her the ultimate respect, walking her four times, three intentionally, during the remainder of the series at Burrill Family Field, UConn taking two of three.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Petted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petted. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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