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

Edgar-Jones’s blouse featured gold buttons running down the front placket, creating a tailored effect that even evoked the type of white shifts men wore during England’s Regency era.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
The two heard a gunshot and watched as a wounded deer ran down the clearing before collapsing.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 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

With four minutes until penalties, Spain venture forward, Cesc Fabregas slips in Iniesta, who rifles it home to win the World Cup.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
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

Definition of rifle

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

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara this week urged consumers to review their coverage and consider flood insurance ahead of a likely historic El Niño.

— Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
The White House announced the cuts through a legally nebulous ‘pocket rescission’ just five days before the fiscal year ended, leaving Congress little time to review them.

— Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of review

Verb

Police are investigating the death of a man who was found injured on a bench less than ½ mile away from the Bristol Police Department earlier this month.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
OpenAI has been investigating agents’ use of internet access since the breach of AI start-up Hugging Face in July.

— Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of investigate

Browse Nearby Words

patchy

pat down

pate

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“Pat down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat%20down. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pat down

verb

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