as in to guard
to walk or go around or through (an area, building, etc.) especially in order to make sure that it is safe
The squad had orders to patrol the area. The border is patrolled by the army.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patrol
ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kenosha police detectives and patrol officers as of Monday were still investigating.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Ginny Monk, ProPublica, 27 Apr. 2026
Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patrol
Noun
The shooting happened on March 25, 2024, when Diller and other officers were on patrol in the Far Rockaway section of Queens.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kenosha police detectives and patrol officers as of Monday were still investigating.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.
—Ginny Monk, ProPublica, 27 Apr. 2026
Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patrol
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrol
Noun
-
But a Marine sentry was spotted outside the West Wing most of the day Saturday, usually a sign the president is at work.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The soldiers would have stayed as sentries before and after the performance, symbolically guarding the legacy of Taiwan’s founder.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anunoby began the series primarily guarding 6-10 center Onyeka Okongwu, a shooting threat who thrives at the pick-and-pop.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Lakers guard Jerry West hits a 60-foot desperation shot at the buzzer to tie Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The original Concord location sits right by Charlotte Motor Speedway, and a newest outpost opened in Mooresville to a line out the door.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
They were all saved from demolition and relocated to this fascinating outpost of the central Edo-Tokyo museum.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The best carry-ons are durable enough to protect delicate items inside and withstand wear and tear, compact yet spacious enough to meet airline guidelines while providing room for all your essentials, and lightweight enough to lift into overhead bins.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The two then embarked on a torrid love affair, but the dynamic between them shifted violently when Nancy discovered that her husband was actually trying to protect her rather than divorce her.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And unions have been printing and distributing signs, and organizing pickets and mega-rallies.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
-
But people managed to hold small pickets in a few cities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The charges follow a military report released in 2020 that found evidence elite SAS and commando regiment troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and other noncombatants.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Wall Street Journal added that the airman, who eluded capture for 36 hours and hid in a remote mountain crevice, was rescued by a specialized commando force.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The last month has seen extensive rain, tornado watches, then warnings and flooding as the Des Plaines and Fox rivers were filled beyond capacity, Kumar said.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
From weeknight dinners to Saturday afternoon football watch parties, these slow-cooker brisket sandwiches that only require 10 minutes of hands-on time are the tastiest solution.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The north was expected to be America’s rear guard, a place where values like democracy and women’s rights might have taken hold.—
Azam Ahmed,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
-
And assassins from a coalition of all the local indigenous tribes — out for blood over the murder of Jimmy the Creek, one of their own, last episode — slit the throats of Ming’s rear guard.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrol. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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