1
as in keepers
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
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2
as in guardians
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 defenders
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of custodians
Onuba counseled now is the time to take another page from PE, which is their operating partner model, where operating partners sit between management and assets, thereby becoming custodians for the post asset-value integration.
—
Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
Ahuja noted that institutional infrastructure for bitcoin—custodians, liquidity providers, and banks—has matured significantly over the past several years, creating greater stability.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
The village’s three human custodians decided to block other humans from the group chat.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
But cities tend to be where people go out looking for birds, trying to find them before the rats get them, or before custodians sweep them away.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
The most visible plans are those devised by the same international custodians who have engineered postwar order elsewhere in the Middle East.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
By the early 2010s, a new board of custodians was appointed, one which included Raja Khalidi.
—Ryan Byrnes, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Law enforcement are exempt from the law, as well as custodians, maintenance workers, and those providing medical assistance.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Two centuries ago, the Litunga (king) turned what had been his private hunting grounds over to his people as custodians.
—Mazuba Kapambwe, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025
Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025
Ahuja noted that institutional infrastructure for bitcoin—custodians, liquidity providers, and banks—has matured significantly over the past several years, creating greater stability.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
The village’s three human custodians decided to block other humans from the group chat.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
But cities tend to be where people go out looking for birds, trying to find them before the rats get them, or before custodians sweep them away.
—NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
The most visible plans are those devised by the same international custodians who have engineered postwar order elsewhere in the Middle East.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
By the early 2010s, a new board of custodians was appointed, one which included Raja Khalidi.
—Ryan Byrnes, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Law enforcement are exempt from the law, as well as custodians, maintenance workers, and those providing medical assistance.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 23 Sep. 2025
Two centuries ago, the Litunga (king) turned what had been his private hunting grounds over to his people as custodians.
—Mazuba Kapambwe, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodians
Noun
-
The team’s first four 2025 draft picks look like keepers.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Orangutans sometimes spend weeks finding the necessary materials (wires, bolts, screws), hiding their elaborate preparations from their keepers, and awaiting the perfect moment to execute their plans.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Meet other parents and guardians, through your child’s school or therapy sessions or online in communities for parents of kids with disabilities, who can relate and be supportive.—
Jaclyn Greenberg,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Without guardians and stability, Charlie and Molly find an unexpected ally and protector in Ignatius Oliver, and solace at his book shop, The Book Keep, where a book a day keeps the bombs away.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Bears defenders appreciate Johnson’s intelligence and ability to instill a tone-setting mindset.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Equally concerning to democracy defenders is its rhetoric chastising European democracies and apparent willingness to elevate political parties in Europe that reject human rights.—
Shelley Inglis,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The same workers who keep this country running every single day—home care aides, teachers, bus drivers and janitors who can’t afford to get sick.—
Linda Goler Blount,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Think janitors all the way up to the CEOs that make a hospital hum.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Atlanta played much better in a 1-point loss to the Patriots on the road last Sunday, but there are major concerns on the O-line after starting guards Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstrom had to leave the Pats game early.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Haydar was prisoner 13077 at Abu Ghraib, one of those photographed by the American army prison guards in various positions of agony.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There's an opportunity to turn a quick profit Gold and silver, traditionally, have been considered income protectors versus income producers.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Since floors like vinyl are prone to scratching, Stein always recommends adding furniture protectors to the bottom of your furniture.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Her death devastated her supporters and caretakers.—
Colbi Edmonds,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Jan. 2026
-
At her home day care, Rodriguez employs a group of teachers and caretakers who are, for the most part, either in their twenties and childless or else parents with at least one child enrolled in the day care.—
Lauren Hilgers,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Since at least last Wednesday, wardens have been searching the Jefferson Hills area for a deer with a jug on its head.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Nov. 2025
-
Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal district in Ghana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Custodians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodians. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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