pats down

verb

present tense third-person singular of pat down
as in shakes down

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pats down
  1. shakes down
  2. runs down
  3. rifles
  4. finds out
  5. searches
  6. audits
  7. dredges
  8. finds
Verb
  • The commission shakes down property owners by, say, requiring them to remove structures or give up development rights.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
  • Later, Tom pours vodka into a Phillies cup and watches birds flutter by at night while Robbie gets his guns ready and shakes down a trap house.
    — Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of shakes down
Verb
  • After Hurtado-Cariaco runs down the block, the agents get back into their vehicles.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • In our latest Set a VIBE edition, our June 2026 cover star runs down the songs that send his audience into full mosh pit mayhem.
    — Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of runs down
Verb
  • With four minutes until penalties, Spain venture forward, Cesc Fabregas slips in Iniesta, who rifles it home to win the World Cup.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Before Poeltl can complete the double-team, Towns looks to the 3-point line then rifles a right-handed pass over his own head to Bridges for the easy two under the rim.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of rifles
Verb
  • Some family members even left the courtroom as Marcelle is heard asking about her children and finds out her son was killed.
    — Tara Lynch, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • And also God help him if anyone on the island finds out that Evan is the last [descendant].
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 June 2026
Definition of finds out
Verb
  • Meanwhile his wife Penelope dodges suitors while his son Telemachus valiantly searches for his decades-absent dad.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • Amid the intense media circus and a gaggle of Chevalier fangirls, Kelly-Anne searches the dark web for a missing piece of evidence that could help secure his conviction — but her reasons for doing so are anything but noble.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Definition of searches
Verb
  • As these legal complaints shake out, and UC Davis audits its own processes, former members of UC Davis’ championship-winning equestrian team are figuring out how to move forward.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • In Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam, workers report intimidation, surveillance and firing threats to suppress organizing—all tactics that audits routinely miss.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of audits
Verb
  • To keep the body of water a lake and an effective flood-control tool, Great Parks periodically dredges to remove excess sediment at the bottom of the lake.
    — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of dredges
Verb
  • Gwayne packs his things and leaves the host as Criston gives his rallying speech, as Daemon finds the grotesque banquet, as Alicent and her daughter are plunged into terrible darkness.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Edwards is quick to drive after facing up against her defender, even when the spacing around her isn’t exactly pristine; none of the Connecticut guards really give the defense a reason to stay home, but Edwards still finds a way to the basket.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of finds
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

pats
pats down
patsies
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Cite this Entry

“Pats down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pats%20down. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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