sentinel

noun

ˈsent-nəl How to pronounce sentinel (audio)
Definition of sentinelnext
as in guardian
a person or group that watches over someone or something a lone sentinel kept watch over the fort

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sentinel Dozens of health organizations and research groups have formed an independent surveillance network to track the presence of dangerous pathogens in community wastewater—a sentinel for potential outbreaks. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2026 Of all of them, the sentinel suites are undoubtedly one of my favorite places in the world. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Corkie putting the snake into the tub looks like the sentinels or the wire going into people’s pods. — Nick Newman, IndieWire, 1 June 2026 And for decades, billboards with Smart’s smiling face stood like sentinels along Highway 101, silently urging anyone with information to come forward. — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentinel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentinel
  1. guardian
  2. guard
  3. custodian
  4. warden
  5. keeper
  6. sentry
Noun
  • State and local prosecutors would be able to sue chatbot operators for violating the measures, as well as parents or guardians of children who are harmed by companies that don’t follow them.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Young people who want access to algorithmic feeds or nighttime notifications have to consent to their parent or legal guardian being notified.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of guardian
Noun
  • Spanish civil guard ships continued searching for bodies in the waters near the stretch of urban beach that tens of thousand of migrants had breached days earlier.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Sparks reportedly agreed to trade All-Star guard Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night, ending a brief stint in Los Angeles as the franchise continues its rebuild ahead of the WNBA trade deadline.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of guard
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
  • 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
  • Perhaps Dominick Puni, who looks like a keeper at right guard?
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Kansas City ran a QB keeper with Fields before the third team came on the field.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of keeper
Noun
  • In humans, traits such as neuroticism and recklessness appear to have some evolutionary basis—emerging perhaps to provide our species with sentries who alerted us to threats, and with explorers who led the way to new food sources.
    — Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • From Newt's family making first contact with a Facehugger to a wonderfully tense sentry gun sequence, Cameron's extra footage enhances a classic.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of sentry

Browse Nearby Words

sentiments
sentinel
sentinels
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Cite this Entry

“Sentinel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentinel. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sentinel

Nglish: Translation of sentinel for Spanish Speakers

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