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Definitions

petting

[pet-ing] / ˈpɛt ɪŋ /
NOUN
caress
Synonyms
STRONG
cuddle embrace endearment fondling hug kiss pat pet snuggle squeeze stroke
NOUN
foreplay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
kissing
STRONG
action caress cuddling lovemaking necking sex
WEAK
heavy petting making out oral sex sexual activity
NOUN
indulgence
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extravagance kindness leniency permissiveness privilege
STRONG
allowance appeasement attention courtesy endurance excess favor fondling fondness forbearance fulfillment goodwill hedonism immoderation intemperance intemperateness lenience pampering partiality patience pleasing profligacy satiation satisfaction service spoiling tolerance toleration understanding
WEAK
babying coddling favoring gratifying kowtowing placating profligateness toadying treating
Antonyms
STRONG
disapproval disfavor disregard dissatisfaction frustration intolerance need want
WEAK
abstention care moderation temperance
NOUN
kissing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
embracing
STRONG
bussing caressing necking parking smooching spooning
WEAK
lovemaking making out sucking face
NOUN
necking
Synonyms
STRONG
canoodling caressing cuddling embracing fondling lovemaking parking smooching
WEAK
making love making out sucking face
NOUN
touch
Synonyms
STRONGEST
communication contact feeling taste
STRONG
blow brush caress collision contingence crash cuddling embrace feel fondling graze grope handling hit hug impact junction kiss lick manipulation nudge palpation pat peck perception percussion push rub rubbing scratch shock stroking tap touching
WEAK
taction
Antonyms
STRONG
failure loss
WEAK
lot

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.

Signs on most kennels asked visitors to avoid putting their hands inside the kennels or petting the animals.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Half asleep, she reached out for her dog - and instead found herself petting a smooth, slithering object.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

I haven’t watched the series, so I didn’t understand why we were beheading a stuffed bear, but families seemed thrilled to explore the venue, including petting Uncle Fester’s Chupacabra.

From Barron's • Dec. 20, 2025

Helfer added Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin Patch to his first business, Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees, building it around ticketed activities like Halloween-themed bouncy houses, petting zoos and pumpkin decorating.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

“So I’m there hugging Grandpa and petting little Cicero and feeling just fantastic when I hear this voice say, ‘Cletus, go on home now.’

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant