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
  • This brainstorm is aimed at shaking down travel booking platforms.
    — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026
  • The city hired a second firm to represent Watts, as the city was legally responsible for covering legal judgments against him despite his federal prison sentence for shaking down a drug courier.
    — Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of shaking down
Verb
  • For four years now, Metro light rail trains have been running down the center of Crenshaw Boulevard, and for just as long, residents say a major promise has been broken.
    — Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Not Bone, But Nerve That something is the ulnar nerve, one of the three major nerves running down the arm.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of running down
Verb
  • After finding out the fire suppression systems didn't work, Mayor Tom Maglicco and his police chief went to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office for help.
    — Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Rogan suggested that his guest should hurry up with Iran-war negotiations and get on with the real business of the government, such as finding out whether the government is secretly hoarding extraterrestrial corpses.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 July 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.

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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 6 Aug. 2026.

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