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

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
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

Definition of shake down

Verb

Photos of Bellin's injuries taken after the incident showed Bellin with blood running down her face and left arm and hand.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Bright flames shot out of an overhead compartment as flight attendants ran down the smoky aisle with fire extinguishers.

— Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

Just in the nick of time--only days before classes started--New York City public school students found out there would be changes to their daily interaction with social media.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Unfortunately for fans, finding out how to watch every game is one of them.

— Takashi Williams, New York Times, 8 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

Hassan Saboula, director of Jawf's civil defense agency, said a child was among the 23 killed Monday and that rescue teams were still searching for seven missing from the attack.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Engineers have spent decades searching for lighter, tougher armor to withstand these cosmic bullets.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of search

Verb

Verbruggen illustrated his strengths in possession in the early stages against Leeds with a raking pass that released Maxim De Cuyper one-v-one against Jayden Bogle.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The tines are made of premium, durable plastic, and the entire head is 17 inches wide to make quick work of raking.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of rake

Verb

After the 2012 pay cut, salaries were reviewed again in 2017 but the government chose not to adopt a recommendation to increase them.

— Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Vela Gonzalez was dragged down the concrete steps and pushed to the ground by two agents, before a third agent emerged to handcuff him, according to video footage reviewed by The Times.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of review

Verb

No deaths have been reported, and authorities are investigating the causes of the outbreaks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Future treatments New cell and gene therapies for Huntington’s disease are being investigated, but researchers need ways of measuring what is happening inside the brain of a living person.

— Claudia Metzler-Baddeley, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of investigate

Browse Nearby Words

patchy

pat down

pate

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Style

“Pat down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pat%20down. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pat down

verb

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