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
In Washington, troops were routinely seen picking up trash, laying mulch in tourist areas and patrolling train platforms.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
In the heavily Latino area of south Oklahoma City, ICE agents have been patrolling in unmarked vehicles and stopping work trucks of roofers, painters and electricians, Brooks Jimenez said.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
Autonomous robotic submarines are very much in fashion as naval planners work on future strategies in which underwater drones play a key part in patrolling and monitoring the world's oceans.
—David Szondy
february 09, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026
Taking the stage at Pier 29 ahead of their Super Bowl pregame performance Sunday, Armstrong had a message for the ICE agents rumored to be patrolling the football game at Levi’s Stadium.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
The Minnesota incident comes during an increase in federal agents patrolling the state, which led to the the killing of Renée Good, who was previously a Kansas City resident.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
Heaney’s poems were read in classrooms where children were growing up with soldiers patrolling their streets.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Hosts also serve as the eyes and ears of park rangers, patrolling the grounds and ensuring campers follow the rules.
—Outside, 4 Feb. 2026
There will be two K9s, Carolina and Belle, that will be patrolling the Super Bowl, which are both black Labrador retrievers.
—ABC News, 4 Feb. 2026
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
In the heavily Latino area of south Oklahoma City, ICE agents have been patrolling in unmarked vehicles and stopping work trucks of roofers, painters and electricians, Brooks Jimenez said.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
Autonomous robotic submarines are very much in fashion as naval planners work on future strategies in which underwater drones play a key part in patrolling and monitoring the world's oceans.
—David Szondy
february 09, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026
Taking the stage at Pier 29 ahead of their Super Bowl pregame performance Sunday, Armstrong had a message for the ICE agents rumored to be patrolling the football game at Levi’s Stadium.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
The Minnesota incident comes during an increase in federal agents patrolling the state, which led to the the killing of Renée Good, who was previously a Kansas City resident.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
Heaney’s poems were read in classrooms where children were growing up with soldiers patrolling their streets.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Hosts also serve as the eyes and ears of park rangers, patrolling the grounds and ensuring campers follow the rules.
—Outside, 4 Feb. 2026
There will be two K9s, Carolina and Belle, that will be patrolling the Super Bowl, which are both black Labrador retrievers.
—ABC News, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrolling
Verb
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He is known to be a tough-nosed defender capable of guarding four-to-five positions on the court.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Limited rib mobility interferes with the ability to breathe deeply, triggering your body’s stress response, which increases muscle tensing as a guarding mechanism.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The staff acts as almost a mini-military– serving and protecting this metaphorical anti-war, positive energy force field.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Despite state and local laws restricting law enforcement from assisting immigration enforcement, California and San Diego agencies continue to work with the federal government on task forces aimed at combating cross-border crime and protecting public safety.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patrolling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrolling. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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