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
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
-
Next to Hofferth, Adam Johnson patted a projector.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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Wembanyama tumbled to the court and remained down for a minute while George patted him on the backside apologetically.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Petted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petted. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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