as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
a cat who loves to be petted
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Recent Examples of petted
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
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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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
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In one photo, the couple posed on the beach while Wyatt caressed her growing baby bump.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petted. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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