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
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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
The first stop was Melin Tregwynt, a historic woolen mill founded in 1841 that is still one of the most influential custodians of the Welsh textile tradition.
—
Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
The board also approved cutting positions at multiple school sites, including assistant principals, high school teachers, special education specialists, custodians and secretaries, as well as the district’s only communications director.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Local 99 members include bus drivers, teacher aides, special-education assistants, custodians and food service workers.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The first move by its latest custodians was a $NZ 25 million (approximately $14 million) makeover for the famed lodge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Your Kansas tax dollars pay for salaries of state employees, from university chancellors and aerospace researchers to prison guards and custodians.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Gold IRAs come with fees for custodians, storage and insurance that compound over time.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026
Today, legitimacy, that invisible prop of authority, is endangered like never before, as unjust hierarchies become too visible to ignore, and custodians of the status quo have taken an axe to their own prestige.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The land’s traditional custodians, the Butchulla people, have a culturally significant bond with the island’s dingoes, stretching back thousands of years.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026
The board also approved cutting positions at multiple school sites, including assistant principals, high school teachers, special education specialists, custodians and secretaries, as well as the district’s only communications director.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Local 99 members include bus drivers, teacher aides, special-education assistants, custodians and food service workers.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The first move by its latest custodians was a $NZ 25 million (approximately $14 million) makeover for the famed lodge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Your Kansas tax dollars pay for salaries of state employees, from university chancellors and aerospace researchers to prison guards and custodians.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Gold IRAs come with fees for custodians, storage and insurance that compound over time.
—Sharon Wu, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026
Today, legitimacy, that invisible prop of authority, is endangered like never before, as unjust hierarchies become too visible to ignore, and custodians of the status quo have taken an axe to their own prestige.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The land’s traditional custodians, the Butchulla people, have a culturally significant bond with the island’s dingoes, stretching back thousands of years.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodians
Noun
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For now, keepers are focused on giving mother and calf time to bond while closely monitoring the newborn’s progress.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The calf and her mother are off-exhibit and will spend a month away from the herd and keepers.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The letter instructed parents and guardians to immediately call a doctor and shelter at home if their child develops symptoms associated with measles.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
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In order to pick up a student, parents and guardians will be required to have a photo ID and be listed in Skyward as eligible to pick up the student.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Excitement for young defenders in Year 2 The Panthers’ 2025 draft class has earned rave reviews over the past several months.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
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The 24-year-old succeeds against all three levels of the pass defense, blocks well against defensive backs and even front-seven defenders and runs for yards off jet-motion touches, screens and downfield passes.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Eight Democratic candidates appeared at a forum sponsored by SEIU United Service Workers West, which represents more than 45,000 janitors, security officers, airport service employees and other workers in California.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Its member organizations include SEIU Healthcare and Locals 1 and 73, representing workers across various industries, including janitors, child care workers, and private security officers and doormen.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Egg rushes to retrieve Dunk, who finds Aerion and his men destroying the puppet show, with Aerion even breaking Tanselle’s fingers, causing Dunk to snap and start beating on the prince before the guards are able to restrain him.—
Derek Lawrence,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2026
-
And maybe one of our guards would raise his hand.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some screen protectors can also dampen whatever color benefits CoE tech produces.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Because both operate better as income protectors versus income producers, experts recommend limiting the precious metal portion of your portfolio to a maximum of 10%.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Over two dozen parents of students at Liam's school, Valley View Elementary, have been detained, Principal Jason Kuhlman said Friday in an interview, leaving children without their caretakers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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And, at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, animal caretakers brought heat lamps in to keep the parrots warm and the flamingos buried their heads under their wings.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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According to wardens, a team of trackers spotted the twins on Saturday, with monitoring and protection measures in force to increase their chances of survival.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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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 7 Feb. 2026.
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