as in guarding
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 patrolling
City officials said local hunters were expected to begin patrolling the area on Friday, according to the broadcaster.
—
CBS News, 8 May 2026
But not for a team that has Abreu patrolling right field.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
The goal would be to revise policing activities so that law enforcement officers spend equal time patrolling both poor and more affluent neighborhoods.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The first episode establishes immediately that something is uniquely off about Widow’s Bay, and not just because Shep, a shipman patrolling the waters at night, goes missing, potentially because he’s been taken by a sinister fog.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
As the director of Milk River Security, which provides anti-poaching and rhino protection services for the reserve, Van Jaarsveld was patrolling on foot that morning with other rangers, according to a spokesperson at Samara Karoo.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 29 Apr. 2026
Law enforcement officers were seen on the rooftop of the Capitol building and patrolling the surrounding areas ahead of his arrival.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Law enforcement agencies in southeast Minnesota and State Patrol troopers will be patrolling the area.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
The aircraft was patrolling around Interstate 5 and State Route 91 at the time of the incident.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
CBS News, 8 May 2026
But not for a team that has Abreu patrolling right field.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
The goal would be to revise policing activities so that law enforcement officers spend equal time patrolling both poor and more affluent neighborhoods.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
The first episode establishes immediately that something is uniquely off about Widow’s Bay, and not just because Shep, a shipman patrolling the waters at night, goes missing, potentially because he’s been taken by a sinister fog.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
As the director of Milk River Security, which provides anti-poaching and rhino protection services for the reserve, Van Jaarsveld was patrolling on foot that morning with other rangers, according to a spokesperson at Samara Karoo.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 29 Apr. 2026
Law enforcement officers were seen on the rooftop of the Capitol building and patrolling the surrounding areas ahead of his arrival.
—Ana Ceballos
follow, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Law enforcement agencies in southeast Minnesota and State Patrol troopers will be patrolling the area.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
The aircraft was patrolling around Interstate 5 and State Route 91 at the time of the incident.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrolling
Verb
-
Even those were somewhat unlocked by Minnesota’s injuries; Johnson no longer had Edwards guarding him by Games 5 and 6, enabling Denver to attack a mismatch.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Bartholomew was shot and killed inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital Saturday morning while guarding someone in custody.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What truly mattered was protecting Britain’s trade with the European continent against French interference.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
That means fighting inflationary spending, protecting affordable energy, defending our borders, supporting farmers and ranchers, and expanding access to affordable healthcare, especially in rural communities.—
Kevin Fixler
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patrolling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrolling. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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