PATROL Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

patrol 1 of 2

noun

Definition of patrol

as in sentry

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patrol

2 of 2

verb

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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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 patrol

Noun

The patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens were activated, and the officers tried to pull over the Nissan near 44th Street and 14th Avenue. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 In the video released by CHP on Thursday, the moment of impact was captured by dashcams of both the patrol vehicle that was struck as well as another vehicle at the scene. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

They were soon surrounded by a crowd of about 1,000 bewildered villagers, who alerted forest officials patrolling nearby. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 Spanish police and thousands of soldiers have been deployed, patrolling the city center and areas near the border. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patrol

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrol

Noun

Some of them have panoramic views of white windmills, which dot the coastline of the Taiwan Strait like slender sentries.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
And Ric Salinas, who plays Chachalacani, humorously obliges, bringing his Culture Clash vaudeville skills to the role of the sentry who’s caught between the rock of Klion’s tyranny and his fellow feeling for Antíkona’s sympathetic cause.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of sentry

Verb

The Heat’s four Exhibit 10 contract players are Ausar, center Kylor Kelley, forward Gabe Madsen and guard Bez Mbeng.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
The most direct tribute to Tippett came in the battle against two giant droids guarding an overlord’s chamber.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of guard

Noun

In the last year, the grocer has opened in West Hollywood, Glendale and Thousand Oaks, with outposts in Costa Mesa and downtown Los Angeles locations planned for 2027.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Under the leadership of Amina Belouizdad Porter, who’s been occupying the CEO chair since 2018, PS has expanded to Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Miami, with plans to open its first international outpost in Paris (at CDG) in 2027.

— Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of outpost

Verb

More missiles, many more options This would significantly expand the ship’s ability to protect an entire naval task group, rather than primarily concentrating on defending itself and nearby assets.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of protect

Noun

Students sitting with arms linked at the elbows could only see in shards through a picket of shin guards, restricting their view of the area where classmates and roommates were dragged one by one and zip-tied face down on the spring grass.

— Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
For wooden privacy fencing, the community’s guidelines specify a shadow-box style with dog-ear pickets and require the fence to have the same appearance from both sides.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of picket

Noun

Operation Sparrow called on Duke to lead a crack three-man commando team on a night parachute jump behind enemy lines.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Night Country‘s Kali Reis as a traditional Resident Evil commando type, there goes I, Tonya‘s Paul Walter Hauser as a whiny, weaselly corporate executive — and others who simply start sprouting tentacles out of their faces.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of commando

Noun

Optional extras include alarm/geolocation, a retractable rear guard rail, a canopy, and custom setups for family or cargo.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Any suggestions that Lionel Messi’s presence at the 2026 World Cup might be diminished crumbled on Tuesday night with Algeria’s rear guard.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of rear guard

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patriots

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Style

“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrol. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of patrol

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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