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, 1 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
Usually an antibody protein known as immunoglobulin A, or IgA, patrols the inner walls of the body’s organs, blocking pathogens from entering cells.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
For example, the city plans to eliminate its police unit that patrols the Berryessa BART station.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
The department patrols 36 square miles.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 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
Usually an antibody protein known as immunoglobulin A, or IgA, patrols the inner walls of the body’s organs, blocking pathogens from entering cells.
—Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
For example, the city plans to eliminate its police unit that patrols the Berryessa BART station.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
The department patrols 36 square miles.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols
Noun
-
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
-
Police had taped off several square blocks around Sixth Street, while local police and federal authorities, including Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents, were at the site, according to Austin police officers serving as sentries.—
Jack Myer,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Of course, that assumes Wembanyama guards Towns.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Fellow Warriors guards De’Anthony Melton (player option) and Seth Curry could also be on the market, as their team faces an uncertain future of building around Seth’s brother.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Noun
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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 says.—
Becky Bohrer,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
And unions have been printing and distributing signs, and organizing pickets and mega-rallies.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That's because federal law generally protects Social Security retirement, disability and survivor benefits from garnishment by most private creditors.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
Texas also protects a variety of other wildlife, including bats, hawks, owls, whooping cranes and all species of sea turtles, according to TPWD.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Vermont Adaptive has outposts at Vermont’s Sugarbush and Pico resorts.—
Cari Shane,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
China has spent years expanding military infrastructure across the South China Sea, including radar systems, surveillance networks, air defense systems, and electronic warfare capabilities positioned on artificial islands and outposts.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
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
Noun
-
Long before scarcity, Japanese craftsmanship and collector-driven storytelling became ubiquitous across independent luxury eyewear JMM, as the brand is commonly called among collectors, which helped position frames more like watches, jewelry or works of design.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
The group checks out the collection, excitedly putting the watches on their wrists to try them on.—
Jayson Buford,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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