janitor

noun

ˈja-nə-tər How to pronounce janitor (audio)
Definition of janitornext
1
as in custodian
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner got a job as the night janitor at the elementary school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in porter
a person who tends a door according to popular Christian tradition, St. Peter acts as janitor at heaven's pearly gates

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 janitor Some hospital staff, like janitors and cafeteria workers, still make minimum wage. — Cassie McGrath, Fortune, 19 June 2026 In the report, the student said Looney was walking to lunch at the school on March 3, 2025, when Looney asked for their social media contact information from the janitor’s closet, the statement said. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026 That means someone can get hired by UCHealth as a janitor, for example, then eventually become a nurse after enrolling in the system’s training program — at no cost. — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Twice a month, students, janitors, security guards and other school staff can come get a full bag of produce. — Chris Wragge, CBS News, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for janitor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for janitor
  1. custodian
  2. porter
  3. keeper
  4. warden
  5. caretaker
Noun
  • This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • While custodians often calculate RMDs, taxpayers should verify these amounts, as errors can still lead to IRS penalties.
    — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of custodian
Noun
  • Well that was a shitty situation 🙂‍↕️ Authorities were called to an area in Kansas City, Missouri because the heard knocking and screaming inside a porter potty.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • Most of the early craft beers were ales, like pale ales, IPAs, porters and stouts.
    — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of porter
Noun
  • Notably, this goals-prevented metric doesn’t account for the different number of shots a ’keeper faces.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Contrary to a popular myth, bees are indifferent to their keepers.
    — Richard Schiffman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • Speculation continues about why the Westmoreland County Prison warden was placed on leave around the same time the prison went on lockdown.
    — Erika Stanish, CBS News, 29 July 2026
  • The encounter fortunately ended without anyone being injured, but Parks Canada wardens were able to identify the hikers after the video was posted online and racked up millions of views.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of warden
Noun
  • Islami was a mother of three children, Hayleigh (12), Madison (10) and Logan (7), and worked as a caretaker and personal assistant, her obituary said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • The caretaker Camille assigned to her, Nurse Amy (Jacqueline Berces), has been following someone else’s orders and switching Juliette’s medication.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of caretaker

Browse Nearby Words

jangly
janitor
janitors
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Cite this Entry

“Janitor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/janitor. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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