Synonyms of petting

petting

verb

present participle of pet

as in caressing

to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner

a cat who loves to be petted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• caressing
• stroking
• patting
• hugging
• fondling
• loving
• cuddling
• nuzzling
• snuggling
• cradling
• pawing
• gentling
• necking
• spooning
• massaging
• nosing
• kneading
• canoodling
• nestling
• enfolding
• billing
• pampering
• embracing
• bouncing
• dandling
• coddling
• indulging
• feeling up
• spoiling
• babying
• mollycoddling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of petting

Up on a hill overlooking Sarajevo, Karadžić, the proud champion of his nation, huddles inside a little red pod, formerly part of a cable car, trying to make a phone call to his wife while petting a puppy that larks around at his feet. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Kenzie assumed the creature was a type of legless lizard native to Europe and started petting it. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

But perhaps no animal is more beloved than Cheeto, an orange cat who lives near the university’s physics department and is the regular subject of doting and petting from students. — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Shretha sat on the ground petting her and feeding her water from a bottle. — Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026

Shretha sat on the ground petting Sweetie and giving her water from a bottle. — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Officials also warn against feeding, petting, or interacting with wildlife in any way. — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Finally, dogs aren’t necessarily on walks to meet you, Sparapani said – always ask the owner first before approaching or petting their dog. — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2026

The accompanying video showed a baby Mabel smiling and reaching for her father, as well as various clips of the new teenager traveling, playing at the park, and petting a cute dog at a bookstore. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026