PATROLS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

patrols 1 of 2

noun

plural of patrol

as in sentries

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patrols

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of patrol

as in guards

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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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of patrols

Verb

In the 5th Precinct, which regularly patrols Canal Street, officers faced 73 complaints containing 221 allegations from September 2023 through the period covered by Police Benevolent Association data. — Daniel Edward Rosen, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Grace Geyoro patrols the midfield and constantly nips in for interceptions. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Now, there is a proper deterrent — more than a thousand troops, state-of-the-art jets and Royal Navy patrols nearby. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 The Sheriff’s Office patrols the Chain, with 6,000 acres and 15 lakes that are interconnected navigable waterways, along with the county portion of the Fox River and 26 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which patrols PCH in Malibu, has also begun posting photos of the cars the department impounded for excessive speeding. — Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 That machine also patrols property while human operators handle serious incidents. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The company’s flagship creation, a 40-gram autonomous quadcopter, actively patrols the sky. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026 Whether your cart navigates the back nine, cruises the cul-de-sac, patrols the campground, or anchors an off-grid lifestyle, this upgrade extends beyond performance considerations. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for patrols

Noun

In humans, traits such as neuroticism and recklessness appear to have some evolutionary basis—emerging perhaps to provide our species with sentries who alerted us to threats, and with explorers who led the way to new food sources.

— Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Finally, unable to stand down the household guard on her own, Alicent confesses her scheme to Helaena, who orders the sentries on the ramparts to hold fire when Rhaenyra flies in on Syrax.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Definition of sentries

Verb

Along with Adebayo, guards Pelle Larsson (illness) and Dru Smith (right calf strain) weren’t available for the Heat on Wednesday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
The router comes with Advanced Router Protection, which guards your router, and a 30-day trial for Netgear Armor Security.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of guards

Noun

For wooden privacy fencing, the community’s guidelines specify a shadow-box style with dog-ear pickets and require the fence to have the same appearance from both sides.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
Nurses have been organizing and holding strikes and pickets at local Prime hospitals since Prime bought eight Illinois hospitals last year, and a ninth — Olympia Fields — earlier this year.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of pickets

Verb

The Idaho Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 1971, protects consumers from false, deceptive or misleading representations, advertising, pricing and contracts.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
Rules finalized in 2024 also provided recognition that Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students and made live hearings optional.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of protects

Noun

Settlers have established hundreds of additional outposts without government authorization, while still enjoying protection from the Israeli military.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In the lobby is Milly’s, serving coffee from Cherry Roasters and pastries from Ayu Bakery, both local businesses with their own outposts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of outposts

Noun

His career spanned roles as Naval Security Group detachments in Japan and San Diego.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Additional police resources were deployed to the area from neighboring detachments, along with the North District Emergency Response Team.

— Alexandra Koch , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of detachments

Noun

In this economy, the value of luxury assets like art, watches and fine jewelry is tied to their ability to signal that their owners can afford what others cannot.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
The Indianapolis seizure follows other recent interceptions of counterfeit watches.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of watches

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patrolmen

patrols

patron

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“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of patrols

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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