as in favorites
a person or thing that is preferred over others
the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pats
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 pets
Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Trump has repeatedly maligned Haitian immigrants, including falsely accusing Haitians living in Ohio of eating people’s pets.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The snakes were introduced through the exotic pet trade in the late 1900s, often through escaped or intentionally released pets.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
They were introduced through the exotic pet trade in the late 1900s, often through escaped or intentionally released pets.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Take your pets with you if time permits.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Trump claimed Haitians were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, in a live presidential debate with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in 2024 before his re-election.
—Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
If your pets go outside on high-pollen days, bathe them afterward — their fur carries allergens directly onto furniture and bedding.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Logan’s script seems intent on making the case that Michael was simply a big kid, frequently cutting to him leafing through his beloved Peter Pan books, dreaming that Neverland is a real place, adoring animals (not his pets!
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
This method creates a durable, washable bed that pets love.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Adoptable pets with black fur are less likely to be adopted, an article from Adopt a Report found.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Sometimes pets like to use fringe as toys, so be extra cautious with cats and dogs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
But the openness to the pets apparently made Banks feel more comfortable with the Vikings.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Trump has repeatedly maligned Haitian immigrants, including falsely accusing Haitians living in Ohio of eating people’s pets.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The snakes were introduced through the exotic pet trade in the late 1900s, often through escaped or intentionally released pets.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
They were introduced through the exotic pet trade in the late 1900s, often through escaped or intentionally released pets.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Take your pets with you if time permits.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Trump claimed Haitians were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, in a live presidential debate with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in 2024 before his re-election.
—Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
If your pets go outside on high-pollen days, bathe them afterward — their fur carries allergens directly onto furniture and bedding.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Logan’s script seems intent on making the case that Michael was simply a big kid, frequently cutting to him leafing through his beloved Peter Pan books, dreaming that Neverland is a real place, adoring animals (not his pets!
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The best way to remove ticks from your property is to keep up with general yard maintenance, especially around bushes that pets frequently brush up against.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
This method creates a durable, washable bed that pets love.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Transmission most often occurs when people or pets ingest food or water contaminated with raccoon feces.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025
Adoptable pets with black fur are less likely to be adopted, an article from Adopt a Report found.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Sometimes pets like to use fringe as toys, so be extra cautious with cats and dogs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pets
Noun
-
The Hawks now lead the series 2-1 and have become the favorites to win it.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Alongside its classic breakfast plates, Fuller’s serves favorites like Monte Cristos and double-decker chicken salad club sandwiches.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But when Sandel saw more chimps appear, the primates did not reunite in their typical fashion of loud screaming, pats on the back and holding hands.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
-
During the performance, the singer kneels down to hand Fox the award and pats his head before continuing on.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The casting of two darlings of early 2000s indie cinema — Paul Giamatti as Adams and Laura Linney as First Lady Abigail Adams — was inspired.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Names like Allan Deberton, Rafhael Barbosa, Tiago Melo and Nara Normande have launched festival darlings and have exciting new projects in the pipeline.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pets. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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