PAT DOWN Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

pat down

verb

Definition of pat down

as in to shake down

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of pat down Following his arrest, Elijah Lebron was allegedly found with a BB gun that resembled a firearm when he was patted down, Jaques said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2026 Its owner has said that guests were patted down by security, scanned with a metal detector wand and required to walk through a metal detector at the entrance. — Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2026 Cover lightly with soil, pat down gently, and water thoroughly. — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026 Angela and several friends watched as Carlos was patted down and searched. — Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pat down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pat down

Verb

On Thursday, Diamantis will be sentenced for crimes associated with shaking down contractors on four school building projects in three municipalities — Hartford, New Britain and and Tolland.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
Bernthal played the real-life Baltimore policeman Wayne Jenkins, who led a crew of officers who shook down people for cash and drugs.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 July 2026

Definition of shake down

Verb

In the world of Dune, the suit transforms the sweat into drinking water; but in the Mexican desert, the sweat just pools, sticks to my skin and runs down my arms.

— Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
The worst came during the early hours of July 28, when heavy rains fell on already soggy ground, running down steep hills into narrow river valleys — a perfect recipe for fast, devastating flooding.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

As she becomes consumed with finding out who Morris Burke is, grief gives way to an increasingly obsessive search.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
Below, find out everything there is to know about Saquon Barkley’s fiancée, Anna Congdon, and their almost ten-year relationship.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of find out

Verb

In the case of the Ratepayer Protection Act, Republicans were searching for an answer to Democratic attacks on data centers and the higher energy prices consumers fear will come from their construction.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
The letter also points to reports on statements from officials such as FBI Director Kash Patel, who claimed at the time that the shooter had searched for apps that tracked ICE agents’ locations.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of search

Verb

Jurors repeatedly reviewed surveillance video capturing the hours, minutes and seconds leading to the shooting before ultimately deadlocking on the homicide charges.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
An investigative panel produced a 99-page report outlining its findings, according to documents filed in court and reviewed by The Associated Press.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of review

Verb

That allegation surfaced as police investigated the first case.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the UAE are investigating the hijacker to uncover the key questions surrounding the suspect’s identity, motive, and how a weapon entered the cockpit.

— Christine Valora, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of investigate

Browse Nearby Words

patchy

pat down

pate

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pat down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat%20down. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pat down

verb

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