as in care
responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something
the government department having custody of all official state gifts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of custody
Ortiz appeared in custody last week but was not brought into court on Tuesday.
—
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
She was released from state custody on May 13 and transitioned to community supervision, according to online Virginia Department of Corrections records.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 May 2026
The boy was taken into custody.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Peters was subsequently taken into custody on $1,000 bond, with authorities also issuing a warrant for Lentz on charges of misdemeanor battery.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for custody
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
She was released from state custody on May 13 and transitioned to community supervision, according to online Virginia Department of Corrections records.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 19 May 2026
The boy was taken into custody.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Peters was subsequently taken into custody on $1,000 bond, with authorities also issuing a warrant for Lentz on charges of misdemeanor battery.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for custody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custody
Noun
-
From the concierge who nimbly assisted me with dining and fitness class reservations to the kind dining staff, the friendly Miami team made sure I was always taken care of and was incredibly helpful at offering local recommendations and insight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
As a result, New Zealand's Health and Disability Commissioner has found that those responsible for the girl's welfare did not communicate effectively and also lacked culturally appropriate care.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Some states, including Ohio, offer similar subsidies to relatives who take guardianship of foster kids.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
According to Stern, there is also guardianship paperwork, which has been signed by the children’s mother, that delegates parental authority to Omar, who Stern says has acted as a liaison for the children on school and medical matters because their mother does not speak English, per Rochester First.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Still, Washington’s custodianship has loosened the grip of hardliners.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Regular audits, transparent reporting and strong custodianship build long-term investor confidence.—
Charles Morey,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To take an example that would be potentially devastating to the Republicans, imagine that the Democrats took full control of the state government in Georgia.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Private equity companies would be banned from investing in youth sports teams, leagues, facilities and events under a new federal bill, a move lawmakers say would lower participation costs for families and restore control of a public good to local communities.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The guests kept their mobile phones turned off and had even handed them over for safekeeping.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 May 2026
-
Most of the works were sold off by the French state during the 1950s, according to the Musée d’Orsay’s website, but 2,200 were held back for safekeeping by the country’s national museums.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custody. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
