Definition of custodiannext
1
as in keeper
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in defender
someone that protects we must regard ourselves as custodians of the Earth so that its natural resources may be enjoyed by many generations to come

Synonyms & Similar 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 custodian The Enthoven family refer to themselves as custodians of Spier, an indication of their long-view commitment to their 620-ha parcel of land. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026 From bus drivers and cafeteria workers to counselors, coaches, custodians, paraprofessionals and district staff, every employee plays an important role in helping students succeed. Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026 The money can be invested only in American companies, and parents are the account’s custodians until their child turns 18. Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 For that piece, Tate in London took on the role of custodian of the work for 13 years, after which both Tate and Calel could decide to renew the agreement. Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for custodian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodian
Noun
  • Goalkeeper Mike Penders, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, will be in contention to be the first-choice keeper, along with Robert Sanchez.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026
  • And that activism – being a brother’s keeper – was evident in his personal life as well.
    Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Due to safety concerns, the age restriction for overwater villa stays is 13 and up, though parents or guardians can sign a waiver upon booking.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • Their protagonists tend to be runaways—men who join whaling expeditions in their haste to dodge the malaise that sets in on shore, boys who board rafts floating down the Mississippi to evade their guardians and their chores.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • As advertised, Swanson remains a peak defender, and his offensive production can be particularly streaky.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 7 June 2026
  • Rielly Chesna, a defender with Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC, which lost to Naegohyang in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, also remarked on the team’s smooth choreography.
    Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • In 1952, the Sherskys closed Three Feathers and Q was left roaming Knoxville, selling to schoolteachers, promoters, and even janitors.
    Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026
  • Software developers, accountants, and management consultants sit at the top of both rankings; electricians, janitors, and construction laborers sit at the bottom.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Several of the incidents occurred in residential neighborhoods, where wardens recovered crossbow bolts from front yards and porches, the release said.
    Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 22 May 2026
  • The juvenile bear’s wander across campus late Thursday and early Friday prompted an advisory to students and a search by UC Davis police and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as well as Yolo County Animal Control.
    Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Younger children can enjoy how to be a planet protector or a wildlife investigator, recording findings in a scientific field journal and becoming familiar with animal tracks.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
  • He gets reacquainted 15 years later with his Sword of Power along with childhood chum Teela (Camila Mendes), who’s brainier and brawnier than the majority of the guys, and his former Man-at-Arms Duncan (Idris Elba), the former protector of Adam’s family.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Nothing has been touched since the artist’s death in 2009 except for dust removed by a neighbor and caretaker.
    Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Long-term care insurance will help pay for an in-home caretaker (of which family and friends may be eligible) or offset the costs associated with external facilities.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Liveried guards greet you at the grand entrance and breeze through ‘hello’ in any number of languages.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The Illini have the nation’s best backup big in Zvonimir Ivisic and need to hit on just one or two of their four freshman guards to round out the rotation.
    CJ Moore June 2, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Custodian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodian. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on custodian

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster