as in janitors
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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Recent Examples of gatekeepers
With one investment, Rupert could establish a fourth national broadcast network and smash the liberal monopoly of ABC, CBS, and NBC, the gatekeepers that dictated what Americans watched.
—
Gabriel Sherman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Such a system would open the field to more candidates, reduce the power of party gatekeepers, and give voters a genuine choice — without leaving districts unrepresented for long periods of time.
—Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Her union organizing and political agitation didn’t help get her past gatekeepers either.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
These effects depended on two proteins that act as gatekeepers to control the activity of dopamine neurons and dopamine levels.
—Habibeh Khoshbouei, The Conversation, 9 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
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
Doctors have long been gatekeepers to medical technology, but now technology could serve as a gatekeeper to doctors.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Young filmmakers still cling to traditional distribution — festivals, theaters, gatekeepers — because of a romantic Hollywood fantasy we were all raised on.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Gabriel Sherman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026
Such a system would open the field to more candidates, reduce the power of party gatekeepers, and give voters a genuine choice — without leaving districts unrepresented for long periods of time.
—Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Her union organizing and political agitation didn’t help get her past gatekeepers either.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
These effects depended on two proteins that act as gatekeepers to control the activity of dopamine neurons and dopamine levels.
—Habibeh Khoshbouei, The Conversation, 9 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
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
Doctors have long been gatekeepers to medical technology, but now technology could serve as a gatekeeper to doctors.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Young filmmakers still cling to traditional distribution — festivals, theaters, gatekeepers — because of a romantic Hollywood fantasy we were all raised on.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gatekeepers
Noun
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Jobs, like cashiers and janitors, are least exposed to AI, while secretaries and administrative assistants are most impacted, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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News of the layoffs comes after NBC 5 Chicago reported last week that nine of 21 City Hall janitors would be laid off.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Brave Pullman porters carried the Chicago Defender with coverage of the funeral on trains headed south from Chicago, sparking outrage and igniting a movement.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 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
“Gatekeepers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gatekeepers. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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