1
as in custodians
a person or group that watches over someone or something
hired a watchman to patrol the factory at night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in keepers
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner
a watchman lives next door to scare off prowlers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watchmen
Noun
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The James family plans to travel to K’gari in the coming weeks to attend a smoking ceremony as guests of the island’s traditional custodians.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026 -
Building trust in a market dominated by large custodians was another challenge.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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During the half-hour show, animal keepers raise awareness of the conservation efforts at LA Zoo, engage with the audience about the perils of keeping exotic animals as pets, and inform visitors of the critical roles each bird plays in the environment.—
Staff report,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
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These keepers of all the knowledge and wisdom humans have gathered as parents are right in front of us—no smart phone required.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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President Bernardo Arévalo issued an emergency declaration after prisoners took 43 guards hostage, killing 10 officers.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
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Twenty-seven women were forced into a small holding cell after spending hours cuffed and chained on a bus where guards refused to give them food, water, or access to a toilet, according to USA Today; they were told to urinate on the floor.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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According to wardens, a team of trackers spotted the twins on Saturday, with monitoring and protection measures in force to increase their chances of survival.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal district in Ghana.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With guardians present, detectives discussed the earlier assault and took the three juveniles into custody.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
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But the editors and unpaid reviewers who act as guardians of the scientific literature are newly besieged.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Eight Democratic candidates appeared at a forum sponsored by SEIU United Service Workers West, which represents more than 45,000 janitors, security officers, airport service employees and other workers in California.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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Its member organizations include SEIU Healthcare and Locals 1 and 73, representing workers across various industries, including janitors, child care workers, and private security officers and doormen.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The populations in Akwa (also in southeastern Igboland) formed vigilante groups armed with rifles, built towers where sentinels were posted, and their shots would alert villagers if raiders came within sight.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
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That majestic array of green-gray gneiss sentinels may be the most conceptually elaborate Neolithic monument in Europe.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The sanctuary serves as a forever home to more than 100 horses, donkeys, ponies and other farm animals, whose caretakers say they were saved from abuse over the years.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
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Their caretakers say that each was saved from some form of abuse over the years.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Watchmen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watchmen. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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