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
This includes safety precautions at city hall or county buildings where public meetings are held, such as metal detectors or patrolling security guards.
—
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
The bulk of the additional manpower planned will be charged with patrolling the area, with most assigned to the evening hours since that is usually when such gatherings take place, Krakow said.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Puntland Maritime Police Forces (PMPF) are patrolling against the recently increasing pirate attacks off the coast in Puntland, Somalia on January 29, 2024.
—Luke McGee, Time, 27 May 2026
Having a better sense of where endangered species are could also help in patrolling against poachers, people with the project said.
—Evelyne Musambi, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Security was beefed up at the hall, with guards and metal detectors stationed at every entrance and explosive-sniffing dogs patrolling the hallways.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Abdullah was armed and patrolling the house of worship on a routine Monday morning because leaders of the mosque have long recognized the threat their community confronts due to the rise in hate crimes.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
In effect, the old house-to-house fighting or even the practice of patrolling streets will no longer be necessary.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Texas Game Wardens will be out this weekend patrolling the water and making sure everyone is following the law.
—Dawn White, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
The bulk of the additional manpower planned will be charged with patrolling the area, with most assigned to the evening hours since that is usually when such gatherings take place, Krakow said.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Puntland Maritime Police Forces (PMPF) are patrolling against the recently increasing pirate attacks off the coast in Puntland, Somalia on January 29, 2024.
—Luke McGee, Time, 27 May 2026
Having a better sense of where endangered species are could also help in patrolling against poachers, people with the project said.
—Evelyne Musambi, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Security was beefed up at the hall, with guards and metal detectors stationed at every entrance and explosive-sniffing dogs patrolling the hallways.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Abdullah was armed and patrolling the house of worship on a routine Monday morning because leaders of the mosque have long recognized the threat their community confronts due to the rise in hate crimes.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
In effect, the old house-to-house fighting or even the practice of patrolling streets will no longer be necessary.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Texas Game Wardens will be out this weekend patrolling the water and making sure everyone is following the law.
—Dawn White, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrolling
Verb
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Authorities in northeastern Congo have now banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people, and soldiers and police are guarding some burials carried out by aid workers.—
Gerald Imray,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
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Authorities in northeastern Congo have now banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people, and armed soldiers and police are guarding some burials carried out by aid workers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Verb
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That’s why the original voices of legacy filmmakers are worth protecting, even when some of that group’s AI advocates seem hell-bent on acting against the industry’s long-term best interests.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
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This melanin is not foolproof in protecting your skin, though.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patrolling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrolling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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