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
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
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
Noun
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols
Verb
-
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
-
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
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
-
Covering cilantro with cloches and adding mulch around your plants protects them from chilly weather.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The justices found the organization’s policy violated the state’s Human Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on gender identity.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Biggest strike ever The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals said the daily pickets at 19 hospitals and clinics across the two-state region would be their largest ever strike against Kaiser.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With plans to establish permanent outposts on the Moon and send missions to Mars, food starts to take on a much more serious place in the scheme of things – even more so than on the ISS because there's a huge incentive to live off the land.—
David Szondy
October 19,
New Atlas,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In 1992, the company expanded outside of Spain with two outposts in Portugal.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
17 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
-
In addition, New York City and Philadelphia also faced tornado watches and considerable rainfall, creating risks of flash flooding and travel delays.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
But if the plot is about swapping fortunes, the watches in the movie are about swapping personalities.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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