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
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Recent Examples of pat
Noah Berlatsky, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2022
There’s a 1785 pastel portrait by Irish artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton, depicting the English bon-vivant ex-pat, George Clavering Cowper, the 3rd Earl Cowper, who spent his adulthood in Italy as a patron of science and the arts.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 12 Jan. 2023
Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Adjective
The balance changes from story to story, and sometimes the genre conventions feel too pat, as genre conventions will.
—Noah Berlatsky, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2022
There’s a 1785 pastel portrait by Irish artist Hugh Douglas Hamilton, depicting the English bon-vivant ex-pat, George Clavering Cowper, the 3rd Earl Cowper, who spent his adulthood in Italy as a patron of science and the arts.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 12 Jan. 2023
Adverb
When the grill is nice and hot, pat dry the scallops with a paper towel.
—Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010
Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.
—Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018
Verb
It can be pat on the skin under the eyes, but should be used with extreme care.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat
Adjective
-
But earth sign parents can also lean toward being stubborn and strict, which may cause friction during a stand off or while navigating discipline or tough conversations.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
-
Economists also will keep an eye on shelter prices, which have been a stubborn component keeping readings higher.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
Adverb
-
In London, Cynthia Erivo appeared in the Ralph Lauren suite during Wimbledon in a perfectly preppy ensemble.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
While Cutler’s hunting appears perfectly legal, he’s run into trouble in the past.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
The camera caresses her, slicing her body into limbs, arcs, glints of effort.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 July 2025
-
Every single person who worked on the film caressed and massaged this sequence, including through post.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
But Galkin is adamant that because their focus was always the victims, Kohberger’s plea deal only changed one thing.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
11 July 2025
-
The call came on what was the hottest day of the year in the U.K., but staff were adamant Moo needed picking up, much to Ford's mild annoyance.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Nineteen seconds later, her pass from below the basket went out to Collier, who calmly stroked another trey for a 12-point cushion.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
-
In the back booth of his local dive bar, Alex G strokes his beard and gazes mistily to his left, where a second bar television is playing the same game show but with a slimy purplish-green cast to the screen.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 July 2025
-
But others in the political realm have been steadfast in their support of Gunn’s framing of the character.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
12 July 2025
Adverb
-
Even without Trump’s commentary the decision is still finely balanced given a cut may come at the subsequent meeting.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
The tension between the lower strings and the wind instruments evokes a yawning pull between earth and sky, punctuated by swelling grandeur, cascading passages, and finely articulated details that surface throughout the piece.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
In this sweet, candid moment, Lopez hugs her babies while backstage on the Marry Me set.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
24 July 2025
-
Mothers crying out loud for their children, and fathers hugging their children close to their chests.—
Troy Onyango,
Time,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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