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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Recent Examples of custodians
Night custodians were finishing up their rounds.
—
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Markups apply to the metals themselves, while IRA fees cover account setup, administration and storage through third-party custodians and depositories.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The union represents more than 30,000 district employees, including teacher aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, computer techs, custodians and gardeners.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Most gold custodians allow investors to complete the application online or over the phone, and approval typically occurs within a few days once identity verification and basic documentation are completed.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Members include correctional officers, sergeants, maintenance workers, custodians, cafeteria workers and school bus drivers.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Of the 221 positions being cut — which include paraeducators, assistants, clerks, custodians, special-education staff, food service staff and more — 88 are already vacant, the district said.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Classified employees — or non-teaching staff who support school operations such instructional aids, paraprofessionals, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers — will not hold a collective sympathy strike, although individual members are legally allowed to do so.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Markups apply to the metals themselves, while IRA fees cover account setup, administration and storage through third-party custodians and depositories.
—Nick Perry, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The union represents more than 30,000 district employees, including teacher aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, computer techs, custodians and gardeners.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Most gold custodians allow investors to complete the application online or over the phone, and approval typically occurs within a few days once identity verification and basic documentation are completed.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Members include correctional officers, sergeants, maintenance workers, custodians, cafeteria workers and school bus drivers.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
Of the 221 positions being cut — which include paraeducators, assistants, clerks, custodians, special-education staff, food service staff and more — 88 are already vacant, the district said.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Classified employees — or non-teaching staff who support school operations such instructional aids, paraprofessionals, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers — will not hold a collective sympathy strike, although individual members are legally allowed to do so.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodians
Noun
-
Raised by Samburu keepers who act as surrogate parents, these elephants are nurtured back to health and prepared for life in the wild.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The zoo asks that no one approach her directly — only her keepers should make contact.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Recorded by hosts Ann Gadzikowski and Elizabeth Romanski in Chicago, this podcast is for the ears of parents, guardians, teachers, and lifelong learners around the world.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The All-Big 12 defense guard has been a key cog the last two seasons for the Horned Frogs as one of the best defenders in the country.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
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With 33 seconds remaining, after scoring five straight points and in possession of the ball, the Warriors used Curry’s gravity to draw defenders out of the paint, giving Gary Payton II enough space to catch a pass from Draymond Green and put in a layup for a 116-115 lead.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
More than 60% of janitors, cooks, home health aids, construction workers and landscapers are immigrants.—
Sara DiNatale,
San Francisco Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Columbia students, along with outside agitators, broke into an academic building and temporarily detained the janitors inside.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With both guards out in the Lakers’ last game against Dallas, James shot 12 for 22 from the field, scoring 30 points with 15 assists.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Kneepkens, never really known as a defensive stopper in her time at Utah, was emboldened and challenged to be disruptive in opposing guards’ air space with her length.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The action to rescue her falls eventually to Mario and Luigi, having relocated permanently to the Mushroom Kingdom and serving as protectors of the realm, solving problems for its inhabitants.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Shiite minorities in other countries tend to view Iranian leaders as protectors and have sometimes risked personal safety to protest the war.—
Mary Thurlkill,
The Conversation,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Xiarhos says this time around feels different because of a special new Massachusetts vanity license plate that benefits K-9s and their caretakers.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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My dad was the king of belting along to Hall & Oates and the Rolling Stones, but karaoke there usually took the form of the residents watching, heads lolling, as the caretakers performed the songs.—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The state wardens and other cops who knew and worked with Bob Markle weren’t just honoring his memory by attending his funeral.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
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Armas said the prison wardens never switched off the lights.—
Manuel Rueda,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Custodians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodians. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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