as in to guard
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of patrol
Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
While Barco was on patrol in November with his platoon, a car laden with explosives swerved and went airborne, erupting in flames.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
Typically, the Coast Guard patrols the waters to ensure no one is getting too close.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrol
Noun
More recently, officers on patrol March 28 heard gunshots in Streeterville and saw a large group of teens fleeing the scene.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
While Barco was on patrol in November with his platoon, a car laden with explosives swerved and went airborne, erupting in flames.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Below the elevated walkway where visitors watch, a jaguar patrols the edge of a fence.
—Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
Typically, the Coast Guard patrols the waters to ensure no one is getting too close.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patrol
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrol
Noun
-
The snout of a curious whale and the muzzle of a four-legged sentry came oh-so close.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
7 Apr. 2025
-
In the early hours of April 21, 1775, gale-force winds whipped across the town square, driving the shivering sentries from their posts to the shelter of their beds.—
Andrew Lawler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Wells was going for a transition dunk when Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson ran underneath his legs on an attempt to stop the easy bucket.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Where Porziņģis usually spots up, several feet behind the arc, only forces defenders to cover more ground to guard him.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The sales success led to the decision to open its own outpost.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
7 Apr. 2025
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Now, Leslie said, there’s always a line when the doors open at 7: 30 a.m., and there are even plans to open a Manhattan outpost later this year.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Arkansas Senate on Wednesday night approved a bill that its supporters maintain would protect Arkansans from religious discrimination and its opponents counter targets LGBTQ+ people.—
Josh Snyder,
Arkansas Online,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Several picket signs were decorated with messaging against Musk and President Donald Trump.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Tuesday’s demonstration served as a precursor to an informational picket scheduled for Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. outside the California Department of Human Resources.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Commando (1987) is about a strangely hilarious killing machine who dispatches dozens of less talented commandos to hell to rescue his daughter, played by sitcom star Alyssa Milano.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2025
-
In January, Yale Hillel hosted a talk by Naftali Bennett, a former Israeli army commando, defense minister and prime minister, who was once considered a protégé of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s current prime minister.—
Anemona Hartocollis,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Kaia wore a Givenchy by Sarah Burton dress, which features a square neck and ankle-length, paired with black kitten heels, and a simple gold watch.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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Kaia wore a square-neck dress with low heels and a small watch.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The north was expected to be America’s rear guard, a place where values like democracy and women’s rights might have taken hold.—
Azam Ahmed,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
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And assassins from a coalition of all the local indigenous tribes — out for blood over the murder of Jimmy the Creek, one of their own, last episode — slit the throats of Ming’s rear guard.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Patrol.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrol. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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