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
The midcentury abode was transferred to custodians of the McCann Trust that holds the property in 2022 and, after hitting the market April 10 for nearly $3 million, a contingent offer for its sale has already been accepted.
—
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
Animal care specialists, groundskeepers, patrol officers, seasonals, aides, and custodians represented by Teamsters Local 727 are seeking pay increases and minimum staffing guarantees from the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Under the agreement, the Sheridan School District will re-recognize the union and add classified staff — such as custodians and paraprofessionals — to the bargaining unit.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The news comes as Broadway production company Seaview announced the acquisition of the revival rights from the new custodians of the Tennessee Williams estate.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
The group successfully won the rights to stage the show from the Williams Estate’s new custodians at International Literary Properties in a competitive situation.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Founded in 2018, the company now supports more than 40 blockchain networks and works with banks, exchanges, digital wallets, and custodians.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 3299 (AFSCME) union’s membership covers essential workers including custodians, food service staff in campus dining halls and hospital cafeterias, gardeners, and skilled craft workers including plumbers and electricians.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
At the sculpture garden, the War Memorial's Indigenous liaison officer, Michael Bell, introduced the prince to Indigenous veterans before delivering a Welcome to Country on behalf of the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the Canberra region.
—Kylie Walters, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026
Animal care specialists, groundskeepers, patrol officers, seasonals, aides, and custodians represented by Teamsters Local 727 are seeking pay increases and minimum staffing guarantees from the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Under the agreement, the Sheridan School District will re-recognize the union and add classified staff — such as custodians and paraprofessionals — to the bargaining unit.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The news comes as Broadway production company Seaview announced the acquisition of the revival rights from the new custodians of the Tennessee Williams estate.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
The group successfully won the rights to stage the show from the Williams Estate’s new custodians at International Literary Properties in a competitive situation.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Founded in 2018, the company now supports more than 40 blockchain networks and works with banks, exchanges, digital wallets, and custodians.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 3299 (AFSCME) union’s membership covers essential workers including custodians, food service staff in campus dining halls and hospital cafeterias, gardeners, and skilled craft workers including plumbers and electricians.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
At the sculpture garden, the War Memorial's Indigenous liaison officer, Michael Bell, introduced the prince to Indigenous veterans before delivering a Welcome to Country on behalf of the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the Canberra region.
—Kylie Walters, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodians
Noun
-
Early record keepers captured the story of each game in 9×9 grids.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This is the eternal dilemma for managers who knowingly choose to use their back-up keepers in the cup.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Police urged parents and guardians to speak with their students about any potential interaction with Faulkner and to relay information to the Wauconda Police Department Investigations Division at (847) 865-0399.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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None of the minors were taken into custody as officers attempted to notify their guardians, according to police.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At 6-9, 325, Burke is a massive player who looks to overwhelm defenders on every snap.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dallas dominated the first seven minutes of the middle frame, outshooting the Wild 9-0 and hemming the Minnesota defenders into their own zone for several shifts.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many Japanese elementary schools don’t have janitors, so the clean-up work is left to students.—
Stephen Wade,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The former series brought aliens to Earth; the latter followed two janitors accidentally launched into space.—
Carmel Dagan,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kennard, Smart fined Kennard and Smart were fined by the NBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials, the league announced Monday, after the Lakers guards were involved in a postgame dust-up near midcourt on Sunday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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 Apr. 2026
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Stripping and washing all bedding — including duvet covers, mattress protectors and pillow shams — is one of the most impactful tasks on any spring cleaning list.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Now, after decades at Franklin Park Zoo, his chapter in the city is coming to a close — but for a purpose his caretakers say matters deeply.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
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The pups are hitting every developmental benchmark their caretakers are watching for, according to the zoo.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
22 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
-
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 2 May. 2026.
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