Patroclus
noun
Pa·tro·clus
pə-ˈtrō-kləs 
-ˈträ-
-ˈträ-
: a Greek hero and friend of Achilles slain by Hector at Troy
Examples of Patroclus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The king has come for the body of his son, Hector, killed by Achilles in revenge for the killing of Achilles’s bestie, Patroclus.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
Song of Achilles follows Patroclus and his bond with Achilles long before the Trojan War is in the picture.
—Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2021
While Achilles sulks in his tent, his beloved comrade, Patroclus, who shares his bed, bravely joins the battle in Achilles’ armor.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
The legend of Achilles retold through the lens of his friend Patroclus.
10 BEACH READ (Berkley, $16).
—Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023
There’s Brad Pitt starring in Troy as the Greek hero Achilles (who, in the Iliad, has been interpreted to have gone on a vengeful rampage after the death of his gay lover, Patroclus).
—Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 3 July 2023
Achilles, the son of a sea goddess and King Peleus, meets Patroclus, a prince who is quite his opposite.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 29 June 2023
The legend of Achilles retold through the lens of his friend Patroclus.
—Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
The tale of Patroclus and Achilles ends in tragedy, but Miller's keen attention to detail and lyrical prose makes the inevitable heartbreak a feeling worth savoring.
—Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Jan. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024
Song of Achilles follows Patroclus and his bond with Achilles long before the Trojan War is in the picture.
—Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2021
While Achilles sulks in his tent, his beloved comrade, Patroclus, who shares his bed, bravely joins the battle in Achilles’ armor.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
The legend of Achilles retold through the lens of his friend Patroclus.
10 BEACH READ (Berkley, $16).
—Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023
There’s Brad Pitt starring in Troy as the Greek hero Achilles (who, in the Iliad, has been interpreted to have gone on a vengeful rampage after the death of his gay lover, Patroclus).
—Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 3 July 2023
Achilles, the son of a sea goddess and King Peleus, meets Patroclus, a prince who is quite his opposite.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 29 June 2023
The legend of Achilles retold through the lens of his friend Patroclus.
—Becky Meloan, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
The tale of Patroclus and Achilles ends in tragedy, but Miller's keen attention to detail and lyrical prose makes the inevitable heartbreak a feeling worth savoring.
—Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Patroclus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Patroclus. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share