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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gatekeeper
Americans are still the gatekeepers [in Hollywood], and there are some people who do not want the dominant narrative about this region to be challenged.
—
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
Shirley’s experience could only happen in today’s media and political environment – where seemingly anyone can go viral, helped along by social media gatekeepers like Musk.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
There is a gatekeeper order so neither my ex nor I are permitted to file any more cases without prior court approval.
—Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Concern over antisemitism on the right has split the conservative world in two—and GOP gatekeepers have lost the ability to contain it.
—Suzanne Schneider, The New York Review of Books, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gatekeeper
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026
Shirley’s experience could only happen in today’s media and political environment – where seemingly anyone can go viral, helped along by social media gatekeepers like Musk.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
There is a gatekeeper order so neither my ex nor I are permitted to file any more cases without prior court approval.
—Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
Concern over antisemitism on the right has split the conservative world in two—and GOP gatekeepers have lost the ability to contain it.
—Suzanne Schneider, The New York Review of Books, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gatekeeper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gatekeeper
Noun
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Poorsaleh said neither is a student in the Chula Vista Elementary School District where the janitor worked part-time.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
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Plenty of schools have commitment from the top of the chancellor’s office, down to the janitor’s closet in the football locker room.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After much urging from financial analysts over the years, Richemont sold the loss-making Yoox Net-a-porter group to LuxExperience, parent of Mytheresa.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Best known as Travelers Rest’s first craft brewery, this spot is a local favorite popular for its world-class selection of beers, with everything from pale ales to porters.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gatekeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gatekeeper. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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