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, 23 Mar. 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
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department not only patrols the unincorporated areas of the county, but also provides police service for the cities of Saratoga, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills.
—Katie Nielsen, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Meet Cycling Mikey, the man who patrols London’s streets and reports people who are on their phones while driving.
—Bob Herman, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
The agency, which patrols unincorporated areas of the county, investigated 18 homicide deaths in 2025 after ending the previous year with 37 homicides — a 54% decrease.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Crossroads visitors may also be familiar with the company’s security robot, Lance, that patrols the area around the building.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 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
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department not only patrols the unincorporated areas of the county, but also provides police service for the cities of Saratoga, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills.
—Katie Nielsen, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Meet Cycling Mikey, the man who patrols London’s streets and reports people who are on their phones while driving.
—Bob Herman, STAT, 17 Feb. 2026
The agency, which patrols unincorporated areas of the county, investigated 18 homicide deaths in 2025 after ending the previous year with 37 homicides — a 54% decrease.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Crossroads visitors may also be familiar with the company’s security robot, Lance, that patrols the area around the building.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols
Noun
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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
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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
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Dilley faces mounting scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children have struggled emotionally and physically in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and guards patrol.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, both sophomores, emerged as reliable college rotation players in 2025-26.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some went to court to challenge government refusals to authorize pickets, while others scaled them back to smaller indoor gatherings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
If not, pickets at school sites and another rally will follow Friday.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Set a pace that protects your well-being.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Hardwood floors don’t always need deep cleaning because the finish protects them from damage.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And other nations, notably China, are working toward their own lunar outposts.—
Scott Solomon,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Since then, Cripple Creek has added outposts in Avon, Aspen, Basalt, Silverthorne and Seattle, Washington.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The watches underwent 25 days of scrutiny there, analyzed via a new acoustic testing method that recorded every sound emitting from the timepiece to track irregularities, temperature sensitivities, and more in the name of all things precision.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
26 Mar. 2026
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Three thieves used sledgehammers to perform a smash-and-grab at a popular Sherman Oaks mall on Wednesday evening, stealing jewelry and watches before fleeing the scene, authorities said.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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