PATROLS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

patrols 1 of 2

noun

plural of patrol

as in sentries

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patrols

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of patrol

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of patrols

Verb

Whether your cart navigates the back nine, cruises the cul-de-sac, patrols the campground, or anchors an off-grid lifestyle, this upgrade extends beyond performance considerations. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026 Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 The defender, a former member of MLS’ Orlando City SC and who now patrols the backline at La Liga club Villarreal in Spain, has rewarded the coach by helping shut down Paraguay a week ago and shutting out Australia here in Seattle. — David Close, CNN Money, 20 June 2026 Sam Carpenter, the public information officer for the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, which patrols Table Rock Lake, said that an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, and the results would be released to the Overland Park Police, which lead the investigation into Lieurance’s disappearance. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026 Dustin Moe with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office patrols parts of the Tahoe National Forest backcountry. — Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 26 May 2026 Designed to operate where human exposure can be hazardous, the robot from Taurob patrols critical infrastructure while continuously monitoring plant conditions. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026 That includes ground troops, a 15,000-member air force that runs Iran’s missile program, and a navy of some 20,000 that patrols the Strait of Hormuz. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 6 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols

Noun

Finally, unable to stand down the household guard on her own, Alicent confesses her scheme to Helaena, who orders the sentries on the ramparts to hold fire when Rhaenyra flies in on Syrax.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
The soldiers would have stayed as sentries before and after the performance, symbolically guarding the legacy of Taiwan’s founder.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of sentries

Verb

Angel Reese and Dream guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are among those voted as reserves by the league’s 15 head coaches.

— Annie Costabile, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Greenland also guards part of what is known as the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) Gap, where NATO monitors Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of guards

Noun

Park rangers and mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets — which are used to help build anchors for extra protection on areas like steep slopes — between the high camp and Denali Pass, the park has said.

— Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Park rangers and mountain guides install and maintain snow pickets — which are used to help build anchors for extra protection on areas like steep slopes — between the high camp and Denali Pass, the park has said.

— Becky Bohrer, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026

Definition of pickets

Verb

The left side of the offensive line also now protects the quarterback’s blind side, as is normally the case.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026
And just an easy 30-minute drive from downtown, the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve protects one of Alabama’s most important coastal ecosystems.

— Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026

Definition of protects

Noun

These experiences inspired the co-founders to open the first Sloomoo Institute in New York City in 2019, followed by locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, along with miniMOO outposts in Philadelphia and Boston.

— Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
The goal with two-way deals is for development, which means a player on a two-way deal has to be open to spending some of his time during the season in outposts such as South Dakota and Iowa.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of outposts

Noun

His career spanned roles as Naval Security Group detachments in Japan and San Diego.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Additional police resources were deployed to the area from neighboring detachments, along with the North District Emergency Response Team.

— Alexandra Koch , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of detachments

Noun

Those alerts came alongside flood watches, warnings and emergencies sent to broadcast outlets, weather radios and mobile phones by the National Weather Service.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
With the World Cup, Wimbledon, and Hollywood premieres all happening in tandem, there has been no shortage of athletes and actors rocking noteworthy watches this week.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 July 2026

Definition of watches

Browse Nearby Words

patrolmen

patrols

patron

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of patrols

noun

verb

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