patting
Light repeated strokes
Patting is touching gently and repeatedly with a flat hand—a gesture of affection, comfort, or approval: She was patting the dog's head.
You pat something dry with a towel rather than rubbing.
A pat on the back signals encouragement or congratulation.
To pat yourself on the back is to congratulate yourself, often with a hint of self-satisfaction.
Rubbing softly, repeatedly
- pettingAffectionate stroking
- caressingTouching with affection
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
cuddling · snuggling · nuzzling · fondling · embracing · hugging · tender · gentle
Restoring calm or confidence
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- consolingGiving solace to another
- gentleSoft and kind
- tenderSoft or sore
soft · rhythmic · calming · nurturing · caring · affectionate · warm · protective
Absorbent fabric for drying
Decorative architectural edging
- formingComing into existence
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- flatteningReducing to evenness
- smoothingReducing irregularities systematically
tamping · compacting · shaping · clay · dough · soil · gardening · pottery
Expression of approval
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
commendation · well-done · kudos · supportive · affirming · reassuring · appreciative · validating
stroking
Rubbing softly, repeatedly
touching · cuddling · snuggling · nuzzling · fondling · embracing · hugging · tender · gentle · soft
reassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
tender · soft · rhythmic · calming · nurturing · caring · affectionate · warm · protective · loving
toweling
Absorbent fabric for drying
gentle · light · skin · face · hair · moisture · dry · cloth · towel · tissue
molding
Decorative architectural edging
- formingComing into existence
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- flatteningReducing to evenness
smoothing · tamping · compacting · shaping · clay · dough · soil · gardening · pottery · sculpting
praise
Expression of approval
- approvalFavorable opinion given
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
recognition · commendation · well-done · kudos · supportive · affirming · reassuring · appreciative · validating
- repetitive motionsswaying, rocking, bobbing, swinging, bouncing
- application techniquesbrushing, rolling, spraying, dipping, sponging
- body percussionclapping, stomping, snapping, hand clap, finger snap
- fiddlingfiddling, fiddle, fiddler, fiddle tune, fiddle tunes
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
- patting dryAbsorbing moisture gently