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
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
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
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
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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The result is an erosion of individual agency and a system that guards access rather than broadens it.—
Anmol Verma,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Other players of note include offensive/defensive tackle Stacy Peck, running back Joe Pullio, guards Evan Murphy and Braden Delisle, and safety Parker Delong.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
4 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
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The case also wraps around all four side of the iPhone, with the same elevated lip that protects the screen.—
Ben Sin,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Making this distinction prevents overengineering and protects morale, budget, and timeline.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Because the local chefs and restaurant owners won’t be operating the airport outposts themselves, Areas and High Flying Foods are obligated to follow the recipes provided them and to work collaboratively on training the employees.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
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Worden tells me in an interview that Harvard scholar Robin Wordsworth, his co-author on a recent Red Planet study and one of the top American experts on terraforming Mars, is now designing compact astronaut outposts that can be positioned inside lava tubes and speedily inhabited.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 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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Maxi sailboats have been competing for bragging rights and very special Rolex watches in Porto Cervo for 35 years.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Rather than pocket the savings, travelers are splashing out on their visits, spending more on things like watches and jewelry, according to research undertaken by the Japan Tourism Agency.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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