pat down

verb

Definition of pat downnext
as in to shake down

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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
  1. shake down
  2. run down
  3. find out
  4. rifle
  5. search
  6. rake
  7. review
  8. investigate
Verb
  • Federal prosecutors, however, are alleging a complex plot to not only shake down Edens but also to hide evidence from the FBI.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
  • This brainstorm is aimed at shaking down travel booking platforms.
    — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026
Definition of shake down
Verb
  • Through a cutting run down the right from Declan Rice, England had the ball in a dangerous position.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • First, on a driving run down the middle of the field, his right-footer hit the post.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of run down
Verb
  • Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Read below to find out what the 7/7 portal means for your sun sign.
    — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of find out
Verb
  • His second attempt rifled across the box, just over a defender’s head and onto the foot of Jhon Arias near the back post.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The Wolves forward took a touch towards goal and rifled the ball top bins.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of rifle
Verb
  • In Gaza City, a Palestinian man continues to search for the remains of his 26-year-old son, who was killed in an Israeli strike nine months ago.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, the former Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher has bounced between organizations searching for another opportunity.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of search
Verb
  • The grass and roots can then be raked out after tilling the soil and before planting flowers.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • In a group play match against Algeria, Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar, seemed to rake his studs along Aïssa Mandi’s right calf and ankle.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of rake
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • Demanding a transparent investigation Salgado Araujo’s death has brought an outpouring of grief and calls for transparency, with activists and Texas Democratic lawmakers demanding all evidence from the scene be reviewed.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of review
Verb
  • Counties investigate these cases, and officials acknowledge that fraud exists, but neither the state nor local property appraisers publish verifiable statewide fraud statistics.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • The incident, which authorities are investigating, occurred 30 nautical miles (around 55 kilometers) southwest of Yemen’s Red Sea port of Al Hudaydah, UKMTO said.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of investigate

Browse Nearby Words

patchy
pat down
pate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pat down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat%20down. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All