pat

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.

Ahead of the opening arguments, Rinderknecht smoothed back his hair and his lawyer helped adjust his tie, before giving him a pat on the back.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

The central bank again stood pat in April, while raising its inflation forecasts and reaffirming its stance to pursue further interest-rate increases.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Maybe it’s a drizzle of special vinegar, a pat of cultured butter softening into gloss or a tangle of pickled vegetables with just enough bite.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

"We deserve a great pat on the back," added Higgins, who admitted he never thought he would still be playing so well at this age.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

She’d technically clocked out four hours earlier, but there was still so much pain around her—so many hands to hold, so many shoulders to pat, so many sick and dying people to pray over.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix