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
The projectile sandwich was part of his confrontation with a group of officers who were patrolling a neighborhood in Washington, DC.
—
Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025
For that matter, so too does the prospect of National Guardsmen, active-duty Marines and 14-ton ambush-proof, mine-resistant armored vehicles made for Afghanistan patrolling our city streets.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Inside 26 Federal Plaza, the building that houses New York City’s immigration courts, ICE officers and Border Patrol agents have been patrolling the halls and positioning themselves outside courtrooms to detain migrants moments after their hearings.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
That means the Claw is back patrolling residential streets in the City of Trees.
—Sarah Linn
november 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Then there’s the Republican nominee, Curtis Silwa, a colorful radio host known for patrolling the New York City subway with the Guardian Angels.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
That doesn't include money spent patrolling the canal or other parts of downtown or for special events.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
If the emergency vehicle behind you has solid blue and red lights shining, the officer inside is patrolling the area and just wants to be visible.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Federal troops were seen in Memphis for the first time on October 10, the Associated Press reported, including soldiers accompanied by Memphis police officers patrolling at the Pyramid, a landmark in the city.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Nov. 2025
For that matter, so too does the prospect of National Guardsmen, active-duty Marines and 14-ton ambush-proof, mine-resistant armored vehicles made for Afghanistan patrolling our city streets.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Inside 26 Federal Plaza, the building that houses New York City’s immigration courts, ICE officers and Border Patrol agents have been patrolling the halls and positioning themselves outside courtrooms to detain migrants moments after their hearings.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
That means the Claw is back patrolling residential streets in the City of Trees.
—Sarah Linn
november 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Then there’s the Republican nominee, Curtis Silwa, a colorful radio host known for patrolling the New York City subway with the Guardian Angels.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
That doesn't include money spent patrolling the canal or other parts of downtown or for special events.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
If the emergency vehicle behind you has solid blue and red lights shining, the officer inside is patrolling the area and just wants to be visible.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Federal troops were seen in Memphis for the first time on October 10, the Associated Press reported, including soldiers accompanied by Memphis police officers patrolling at the Pyramid, a landmark in the city.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrolling
Verb
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The podcast allows Kylie to walk the line between sharing details about her family and guarding her privacy.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The job of guarding the opposition’s top offensive threat usually goes to Nelson.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Democrats have used the government shutdown to call for protecting enhanced tax credits for purchasing health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
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These veggies appear to be most closely tied to protecting the brain, so try to eat them every day.—
Jennifer Klump,
Verywell Health,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patrolling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrolling. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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