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pat on the head

NOUN

acclaim

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acclamation applause commendation kudos praise rave recognition

STRONG

PR acknowledgment approbation celebration cheering clapping eulogizing exaltation honor plaudits puff strokes stroking

WEAK

pat on the back pumping up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blame censure criticism disapproval

STRONG

condemnation debasement denunciation humiliation

WEAK

beratement jeering vituperation

NOUN

approval

Synonyms

STRONG

PR acclaim admiration applause appreciation approbation commendation esteem favor liking praise puff regard respect strokes stroking wow

WEAK

pat on the back pumping up

Antonyms

STRONG

blame censure criticism disapproval dislike disregard disrespect hate hatred neglect

WEAK

disfavor opposition refusal rejection

NOUN

commendation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

encouragement

STRONG

PR acclamation approbation approval award bouquet credit encomium honor panegyric pay plum points posy puff rave recommendation stroke stroking tribute

WEAK

brownie points good opinion pat on the back pumping up shot in the arm

Antonyms

STRONG

condemnation criticism disapproval dishonor disrespect ill repute

WEAK

blame censure reprimand

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They got a nice pat on the head in the preseason AP poll—No. 20.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

Then she realizes that just to get a pat on the head, and "This is for the experience. It's not actually for money."

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2023

The toy could also "listen" to conversations, and could, with a pat on the head, be taught to say a selection of words.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2023

“I was favor-trading with people who were causing real-world harm so I could get a pat on the head from some client who wanted self-serving scuttlebutt fed to the rubes,” he writes of his career.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2022

He gave her an awkward pat on the head.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

pat on the head

Example Sentences

Related Words