as in guards
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patrols
Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
The city is also home to the 3rd Fleet, which patrols 50 million square miles of the Pacific.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
The country’s navy, which is responsible for the protection of these surfing areas, hardly patrols.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Carter has to hide behind pieces of waist-high cover and move around Simms, who patrols the corridors of the ship, to try and make it to his destination.
—Echo Apsey, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The menu features Scottish cuisine made from local ingredients, like scallops collected by one of the distillery’s stillmen, local venison, and vegetables grown on the island, while a whisky trolley patrols the dining room offering a range of drams each night.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 8 Sep. 2025
The network of over 2,500 volunteers patrols neighborhoods across the state, informing residents of ICE’s presence.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The secondary, headlined by senior cornerback Brandon Ford and senior defensive back Jaleal Allen, patrols the back end of a swarming defense.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Cambridgeshire Police, which patrols the area, arrested two people at the scene in connection with the incident, authorities said.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2025
The city is also home to the 3rd Fleet, which patrols 50 million square miles of the Pacific.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
The country’s navy, which is responsible for the protection of these surfing areas, hardly patrols.
—Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025
Carter has to hide behind pieces of waist-high cover and move around Simms, who patrols the corridors of the ship, to try and make it to his destination.
—Echo Apsey, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The menu features Scottish cuisine made from local ingredients, like scallops collected by one of the distillery’s stillmen, local venison, and vegetables grown on the island, while a whisky trolley patrols the dining room offering a range of drams each night.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 8 Sep. 2025
The network of over 2,500 volunteers patrols neighborhoods across the state, informing residents of ICE’s presence.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The secondary, headlined by senior cornerback Brandon Ford and senior defensive back Jaleal Allen, patrols the back end of a swarming defense.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols
Noun
-
Reenactors portraying British sentries were bum-rushed by a swarm of whooping Green Mountain Boys.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Rows of lights stood like sentries above, adorned with flat visors that guided the glow onto the action.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Twin Cities,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Kings guards Russell Westbrook and Zach LaVine and forward DeMar DeRozan were quick to come to Sabonis’ aid, stepping between the two players before the situation escalated.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
According to a team press release, Utah has cut floor-stretching center Mo Bamba plus guards Pedro Bradshaw and Sean East II, just days prior to the start of Utah's season.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Baristas at Starbucks cafes across the country are holding pickets this week as part of a collective push for a union contract, and Phoenix workers are joining in.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Where will Starbucks Workers United hold rallies and pickets?—
Mike Snider,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These comments are important because our government must place premium in creating a society that respects human lives, secures its borders and protects its citizens.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Spent foliage over the winter also protects the roots against cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The station's successor will come from the private industry, as several companies are working on designs for next-generation space outposts.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Bonifacio Taking up residence in what was once one of Wendy’s first outposts—the fast-food chain was founded in Columbus in 1969—Bonifacio is the city’s first full-service Filipino restaurant and bar.—
Katie Chang,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Israeli military has amassed two major groups of armored vehicles in Sheikh Radwan, to the north of Gaza City, according to the imagery, with additional detachments of armored vehicles stationed along roads that lead toward Israel.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Although the much smaller Michino’o/Togitsu metal foundry detachments could not compete with the Ōhashi unit in terms of sheer noise and numbers, these girls were in high spirits this fine and yet‑too‑hot hot morning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
LuxExperience is considered the leading digital, multibrand luxury group selling men’s and women’s wear, kids, fine jewelry, watches and lifestyle products.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
It should be noted here that Omega watches and Omega Timing are, technically, two separate divisions of the Swatch Group, the Swiss behemoth that owns Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, and Longines.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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