patting down

verb

present participle of pat down
as in hunting (through)

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patting down
  1. shaking down
  2. running down
  3. finding out
Verb
  • On Thursday, Diamantis will be sentenced for crimes associated with shaking down contractors on four school building projects in three municipalities — Hartford, New Britain and and Tolland.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
  • This brainstorm is aimed at shaking down travel booking platforms.
    — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026
Definition of shaking down
Verb
  • The worst came during the early hours of July 28, when heavy rains fell on already soggy ground, running down steep hills into narrow river valleys — a perfect recipe for fast, devastating flooding.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The buttons running down the front placket of the sweater were unbuttoned toward the top but closed at the bust line.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of running down
Verb
  • As the officers recall the incident, Hondo focuses on finding out who the mole is and how to proceed with this information.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The former Late Show host recounted finding out his show had been cancelled during the appearance.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of finding out
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

patting
patting down
patty
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Cite this Entry

“Patting down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patting%20down. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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