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
The younger Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, remains in custody and a trial date has not yet been set.
—
Dan Gallo, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
Knox remains in custody at the Las Colinas women’s jail in Santee, sheriff’s records show.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The court also denied Culleton’s request to be released from ICE custody on bond, pending the outcome of his appeal.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Authorities did not release the name of the suspect arrested, noting that he was cited for a misdemeanor and released from custody.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for custody
Dan Gallo, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
Knox remains in custody at the Las Colinas women’s jail in Santee, sheriff’s records show.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The court also denied Culleton’s request to be released from ICE custody on bond, pending the outcome of his appeal.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 3 Mar. 2026
Authorities did not release the name of the suspect arrested, noting that he was cited for a misdemeanor and released from custody.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for custody
Recent Examples of Synonyms for custody
Noun
-
Undocumented immigrants were among those gaining coverage, which provided access to regular doctor visits and preventative care .—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Sesame’s clinicians will also stay with the patient throughout any IMI RMA procedures to help translate medical terminology, provide emotional support, and offer any other care coordination needed.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For 37 years, Khamenei presided over a transformation of Iran’s political system from what was once called a republic into a system of concentrated clerical authority — what many critics describe as absolute guardianship.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
For 37 years, Khamenei presided over a transformation of Iran’s political system from what was once called a republic into a system of concentrated clerical authority — what many critics describe as absolute guardianship.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Regular audits, transparent reporting and strong custodianship build long-term investor confidence.—
Charles Morey,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Because the diagnosis was so unusual, zoo staff examined the bodies of 64 free-ranging roof rats that had either been euthanized in the course of regular pest control or found dead on the property.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
These adjustments, referred to as population controls, are likely to show steep downward revisions to both population and labor-force levels – largely reflecting reduced immigration.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike stocks or bonds that exist primarily as assets in a brokerage account, buying and owning physical gold requires real-world decisions about storage, security and safekeeping.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The cow was eventually secured and returned to a neighbor’s property for safekeeping, ensuring a smooth reunion once the owners were reached.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Custody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/custody. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
