Synonyms for petting

Most common

kissing · cuddling · caressing · snuggling

All synonyms

Noun

Definitions

1. n. 1

   The act of stroking or gently patting an animal.

Forms

Plural

pettings → cuddlings, kissings, caressings, snugglings…

Example sentences

• kissing Tom said he saw Mary kissing John behind the barn.
• cuddling Tom and Mary fell asleep cuddling on the couch.
• caressing She got wet when he started caressing her breasts.
• snuggling We watched the baby snuggling with her teddy bear.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

7 letters

kissing², hugging², necking

8 letters

cuddling², fondling³

9 letters

caressing³, snuggling

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (kissing² = 2 syllables).