as in janitor
a person who tends a door
those who are hopelessly unhip have little chance of making past the club's gatekeeper and his velvet rope
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Recent Examples of gatekeeper
The other is fooling humans, particularly the dwindling number of journalists, critics, and other gatekeepers who are still capable of conferring legitimacy by paying attention.
—
Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
In relation to the suppliers of scientific content—scientists and scientific institutions—science journalists act as gatekeepers.
—Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
In that position Yermak occupied the country’s second most consequential public post, frequently acting as the president’s gatekeeper.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Finding Your Audience Theatrical windows, streaming gatekeepers, algorithmic feeds — the traditional path to audiences is getting harder to navigate, and more filmmakers are charting their own course.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gatekeeper
Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
In relation to the suppliers of scientific content—scientists and scientific institutions—science journalists act as gatekeepers.
—Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
In that position Yermak occupied the country’s second most consequential public post, frequently acting as the president’s gatekeeper.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Finding Your Audience Theatrical windows, streaming gatekeepers, algorithmic feeds — the traditional path to audiences is getting harder to navigate, and more filmmakers are charting their own course.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gatekeeper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gatekeeper
Noun
-
The story centers on Zha, a janitor at a bankrupt, long-shuttered film studio who retreats into a virtual world, cultivating an online romance and dreaming of a voyage to the Moon.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
After an embarrassing encounter — Wells, working as a janitor, stumbles upon Graham naked in the locker room — the two make an arrangement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
British luxury shoe brand Jennifer Chamandi is entering the sneaker category with the introduction of its London style, launching Friday exclusively with longstanding retail partner Net-a-porter.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
-
Avoid anything overly hoppy like IPAs or dark, robust beers like stouts and porters.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gatekeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gatekeeper. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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