as in guarded
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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Recent Examples of patrolled
Now, according to residents and phone footage that has circulated online, those same streets are patrolled by trucks mounted with heavy machine guns.
—
Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
More officers patrolled the area on Friday and were also not able to find the monkeys.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Kristy dos Reis, a spokesperson for the Providence Police Department, said that figure includes both patrol officers who patrolled the area in cars and on foot and detectives who were part of the around-the-clock investigation.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
In the nation's capital, law enforcement set up checkpoints around the city and National Guard troops patrolled, even cleaning graffiti and picking up trash.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
In areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County sheriff, homicides fell from 184 to 159 last year — a nearly 14% decline.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
It is being closely watched by other cities also thinking of parting ways with BSO, notably Pompano Beach, Deerfield’s southern neighbor, which also awaits a consultant’s study on the feasibility of building its own police force and is the largest city patrolled by BSO.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The vessel had patrolled during the same years as the Growler but, in 1961, suffered a reactor incident that radiated its crew.
—Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
For more than the last quarter-century, Reid has patrolled the sideline as an NFL head coach, first guiding the Philadelphia Eagles and now leading the Kansas City Chiefs.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Kay Armin Serjoie, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
More officers patrolled the area on Friday and were also not able to find the monkeys.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Kristy dos Reis, a spokesperson for the Providence Police Department, said that figure includes both patrol officers who patrolled the area in cars and on foot and detectives who were part of the around-the-clock investigation.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
In the nation's capital, law enforcement set up checkpoints around the city and National Guard troops patrolled, even cleaning graffiti and picking up trash.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
In areas patrolled by the Los Angeles County sheriff, homicides fell from 184 to 159 last year — a nearly 14% decline.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
It is being closely watched by other cities also thinking of parting ways with BSO, notably Pompano Beach, Deerfield’s southern neighbor, which also awaits a consultant’s study on the feasibility of building its own police force and is the largest city patrolled by BSO.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The vessel had patrolled during the same years as the Growler but, in 1961, suffered a reactor incident that radiated its crew.
—Robert Sullivan, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
For more than the last quarter-century, Reid has patrolled the sideline as an NFL head coach, first guiding the Philadelphia Eagles and now leading the Kansas City Chiefs.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrolled
Verb
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Johnson quickly raced up the court and didn’t hesitate to attack the basket, knocking down a tough runner in the lane while closely guarded.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
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Neither player is a prolific shot-maker from long range, but Green’s dwindling speed advantage is further lessened when he is guarded by power forwards rather than centers on dribble handoffs.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Certain messages or actions, like inciting immediate violence or making true threats, aren’t protected speech.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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It’s made from flexible pebbled leather that molds against your body comfortably and features four metal feet on the bottom to keep the bag protected and clean.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patrolled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrolled. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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