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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pat
Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
The story was too pat, too earnest, too self-flattering.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020
CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Form into a ball, then pat out to approximately 3/4- inch thickness.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pat
Adjective
The film stars Oscar winner Brendan Fraser as Phillip Vandarploeug, an ex-pat American actor living in Tokyo.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
The story was too pat, too earnest, too self-flattering.
—Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Adverb
The 2016 draft was the last time the Bengals stayed pat through all seven rounds.
—Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020
Verb
The Hall of Fame forward and all-time franchise leader in nearly every major statistical category walked into the arena with Timberwolves co-owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez after player introductions, receiving a roar from the crowd and patting his heart with his hand.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Form into a ball, then pat out to approximately 3/4- inch thickness.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
Jared Speight is a stubborn titan of Long Island abstraction when star writer Roxy Margaux first becomes infatuated with his bravado.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For concrete or tile, a mild cleaner helps remove the stubborn pollen film that builds up over spring months.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
This ensured all the layers and corners of this massive piece of gear were perfectly sanitized.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
That celebration — with all its intensity — perfectly encapsulated the effort of the KU defense Saturday.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters can be flawed, and cars can crash, McDermott says, but NASCAR wanted race scenes to look authentic and was adamant that the series not depict anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Warsh would take the chairmanship at a complicated time, given that a spike in gas prices could keep the central bank from lowering interest rates — a move that Trump has been adamant on.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Enclosed behind a barrier, a theme park is immaculately clean and features fancy landscaping and roving mascots who pose for photos and spread positive vibes.—
John Haddad,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Although immaculately updated, traces of the past remain in the property’s 26 miles of crown moulding restored by a team from Paris.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In her first varsity at-bat the next day against Lincoln-Way Central, Krauchun stroked a single up the middle.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Ferrer then went back to the sinker, placed the 98 mph pitch on the outside edge of the plate and Merrill stroked it to left, clearing the bases for a walk-off win in front the remnants of a sellout crowd of 46,095.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But certainly nothing may have damaged their trust more than the steadfast assertions that the COVID vaccines were able to stop infection and transmission.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Their families both have expressed steadfast support of Broadnax's execution.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Grind the orange peels or very finely chop them up.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The dough must be made with 00 flour — a finely ground wheat flour — plus natural or brewer’s yeast, salt and water.—
The Sacramento Bee staff,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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