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 college currently consists of 11 officers of arms, who undertake the genealogical research and act as custodians of the records.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Obama stopped by the Jackson Park facility to hear personal stories from custodians, security guards, visitor services staffers, and more.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 8 June 2026
The forgers of the future have become custodians of an optimistic past.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026
Institutions still need clearinghouses, custodians, reporting systems, market surveillance, and legal accountability.
—Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Preservation of both is foremost in the mindset of its custodians.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
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
This vision resonated with the leaders of the Gulf states and their citizens, who have increasingly come to see themselves not as mere custodians of oil fields and checkbooks, but as builders of dynamic new economies and societies.
—Daniel Benaim, Time, 18 May 2026
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Obama stopped by the Jackson Park facility to hear personal stories from custodians, security guards, visitor services staffers, and more.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 8 June 2026
The forgers of the future have become custodians of an optimistic past.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026
Institutions still need clearinghouses, custodians, reporting systems, market surveillance, and legal accountability.
—Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Preservation of both is foremost in the mindset of its custodians.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
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
This vision resonated with the leaders of the Gulf states and their citizens, who have increasingly come to see themselves not as mere custodians of oil fields and checkbooks, but as builders of dynamic new economies and societies.
—Daniel Benaim, Time, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custodians
Noun
-
Former keepers who visited on May 13 said the 2-year-old has bonded with surrogate mother Fredrika and developed a playful, mischievous personality.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
-
Neither Abrams or Marte are going to be my keepers.—
Eno Sarris,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
The bill also encourages private professional guardians to meet with the allegedly disabled adult prior to being appointed to the case or as soon as is feasible.—
Emily Hoerner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Parents must foot the bill for these guardians, and split the cost based on their income.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Asked about 1994, Argentine coach Nestor Lorenzo avoided it like Diaz does defenders, talking about preparation and focus and logistics.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
Herbert was hit more times by opposing defenders than any other quarterback in 2025.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
8 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
-
Former detainees held at Camp East Montana detailed consistent abuses by guards in interviews with the USA TODAY Network, echoing allegations raised in the lawsuit.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
After seven months, Rohde and his interpreter escaped a compound where they were being kept by waiting for the guards to sleep and then using a rope to scale down the wall.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The Thunder’s perimeter defense sometimes feels impenetrable and is anchored on the back line by Chet Holmgren, one of the best rim protectors in basketball.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Healthcare workers become targets instead of protectors.—
Steve Brozak,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
For this reason, healthcare providers and family members or other caretakers are the most likely to contract it.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
-
This knowledge could help Ötzi’s caretakers keep the body well preserved into the future and enable other researchers to do the same for other frozen biological discoveries.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Custodians.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custodians. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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