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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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 report said the Type 054B frigate Luohe warned off Japanese vessels, while J-15 fighters operating from the carrier intercepted Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 The new patrol officer parked his black Dodge Charger outside a house off Main Street and approached on foot. — Francesca D’annunzio, ProPublica, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

The utility’s outage listings Friday afternoon showed crews patrolling electrical lines in many affected communities, a step toward restoring power once conditions were considered safe. — Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The force, which rose to a peak of about 5,000 troops over the summer, has supported arrest operations, patrolled city streets and neighborhoods, and participated in cleanup efforts. — Arkansas Online, 15 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

Campbell ended up hitting the block of all blocks off the tee, with his ball entering what is a legitimate jungle guarding the right side of the fairway.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Instead, my mother ferociously guarded her friendships with open-minded neighbors.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of guard

Noun

Marie, a rural outpost that for thousands of years has been a gathering place and trading hub for Indigenous communities.

— Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
For example, Eredi Zucca recently unveiled a permanent corner at the Communité’s Galataport İstanbul location, which will be followed by another one in the Turkish retailer’s İstinyePark outpost next year.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of outpost

Noun

In Sacramento, workers gathered at picket locations and then marched together towards the Capitol Annex Swing Space while yelling chants and holding signs.

— Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
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

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

Netanyahu’s opponents said he should be held accountable for the security failures that occurred on his watch and have demanded a commission of inquiry.

— Giovanna Dell'Orto, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The president, meanwhile, has been trying to rally voters around the country, touting the economy as strong while downplaying the extent of inflation under his watch.

— New York Times, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of watch

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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Style

“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrol. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of patrol

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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