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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Recent Examples of patrols
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
The Homeless Outreach Team regularly patrols the area with a focus on sections known to be routinely used by homeless individuals.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Smith plays Hanna, a cantankerous nonagenarian, who patrols the Golden Gate Bridge every day and intervenes when people get too close to the edge.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
The Homeless Outreach Team regularly patrols the area with a focus on sections known to be routinely used by homeless individuals.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Smith plays Hanna, a cantankerous nonagenarian, who patrols the Golden Gate Bridge every day and intervenes when people get too close to the edge.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols
Verb
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Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards guards Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center on January 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Desiree Martinez, who helps businesses with custom marketing strategies and has 42,000 subscribers, guards her Mondays fiercely.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
-
According to the International Trademark Association, the right of publicity is an intellectual property right that protects against the misappropriation of a person’s likeness — such as the photo — for commercial benefit.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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This foundation builds trust, protects capital, and sets the stage for strategic growth in volatile digital markets.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Vietnam maintains outposts on nearby islands, and the Philippines, Malaysia, and other nations assert overlapping claims.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Aug. 2025
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The reef, a narrow, 18-mile-long atoll in the southern Spratlys, is one of several outposts Vietnam has expanded in recent years as part of its current island-building round, which began in 2021.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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Geneva Watch Days opened last Thursday with a slew of new introductions that added substance and excitement to the weekend of events seminars, roundtables and events focused on the world of luxury watches.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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As residents prepare for storms, Graham suggested having multiple ways to receive information on watches and warnings throughout the weekend.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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