PATROLS Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

patrols 1 of 2

noun

plural of patrol

as in sentries

Related Words

Relevance

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.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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 The defender, a former member of MLS’ Orlando City SC and who now patrols the backline at La Liga club Villarreal in Spain, has rewarded the coach by helping shut down Paraguay a week ago and shutting out Australia here in Seattle. — David Close, CNN Money, 20 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

Klaatu's giant robot sidekick, Gort, then steps out of the vessel, obliterates a load of firearms with his laser eyes, and silently guards the ship as his master is taken to hospital.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
But with Smith now sidelined, Heat rookie guards Tre Donaldson and Ryan Conwell will have an opportunity to play a bigger role in practices and in games this preseason.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 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

Noun

The Iraqi military has said Turkey maintains five major bases and almost 100 smaller outposts in Iraq.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Without SpaceX’s Dragon, the only option for getting people to and from those orbital outposts could be Boeing’s Starliner — a spacecraft that was developed under the same NASA program as Crew Dragon.

— Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 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

Chivayo's Rolls-Royces, private aircraft, designer shoes, luxury watches, shopping trips abroad and multimillion-dollar gifts were a constant presence on social media, while his relationships with presidents gave him visibility far beyond Zimbabwe.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Chicago White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci (17) watches as shortstop Chase Meidroth (10) fields a ground ball and tags second base in the tenth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of watches

Browse Nearby Words

patrolmen

patrols

patron

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Patrols.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patrols. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of patrols

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes