as in guarding
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 patrolling
To see armed soldiers patrolling there is to see force imposed on a place built for conversation, exchange and civic trust.
—
Eric Chastain, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Crews were on scene patrolling ofr a cause, Moreno said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The Healy has been patrolling the Arctic alongside the national security cutter USCGC Waesche since Saturday.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
On the night of Cook’s death, Shahin was in charge of checking on fire alarms at the complex, while Mohamed was tasked with patrolling the building to make sure there were no transients and no one was breaking into residents’ cars, according to court filings.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
If the Guard comes, it will be limited to patrolling our city’s gleaming streets in the privileged heart of the city.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Soldiers patrolling the capital of a constitutional democracy.
—Aron Solomon
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Perez-Engel was spotted by a Clay County sheriff’s deputy patrolling the area, Boyd said in the release.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
When federal agents start patrolling my own streets?
—Lauren Grodstein, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2025
Eric Chastain, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Crews were on scene patrolling ofr a cause, Moreno said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The Healy has been patrolling the Arctic alongside the national security cutter USCGC Waesche since Saturday.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
On the night of Cook’s death, Shahin was in charge of checking on fire alarms at the complex, while Mohamed was tasked with patrolling the building to make sure there were no transients and no one was breaking into residents’ cars, according to court filings.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
If the Guard comes, it will be limited to patrolling our city’s gleaming streets in the privileged heart of the city.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Soldiers patrolling the capital of a constitutional democracy.
—Aron Solomon
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Perez-Engel was spotted by a Clay County sheriff’s deputy patrolling the area, Boyd said in the release.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
When federal agents start patrolling my own streets?
—Lauren Grodstein, The Atlantic, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrolling
Verb
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The protective father also held his hands back, guarding his son while placing the back of his head on Jack’s stomach.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
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On Tuesday, Charles hit 3-of-7 of her field goal attempts and hit all five of her free throws while taking on the assignment of guarding Storm sharpshooter Gabby Williams.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While many executives are pausing on big hires or deferring large projects, Dave Anderson, Founder of TSC Security, argues that protecting your company’s digital assets should not be placed on the back burner.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Indiana University is the worst public university in the country for fostering and protecting free speech on campus, according to a national First Amendment organization that ranks universities annually.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patrolling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrolling. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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