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
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Recent Examples of gatekeepers
The global micro-drama surge is also the story of a predominantly female audience, hungry for romance and fantasy, sidestepping legacy gatekeepers.
—
Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The theory of news values and research on gatekeepers and social psychological approaches conceptualize news decisions from the perspective of journalists without placing sources at the center of consideration.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
And let’s not get started on neighborhood historic preservation gatekeepers where, say, using the wrong balusters on your porch can set off World War III with your neighbors.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Writing is full of gatekeepers.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Also an actor, writer, and producer, Elia is someone who has consistently found ways to create on his own terms, rather than waiting on approval from gatekeepers.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Some of the key gatekeepers include your key formation documents and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
There are gatekeepers, and there are soul partners.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The Supreme Court had agreed to consider the case last year, taking on a years-long legal battle between the major record labels and the internet provider, with the labels saying internet gatekeepers should be held responsible for their users’ infringing behaviors.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The theory of news values and research on gatekeepers and social psychological approaches conceptualize news decisions from the perspective of journalists without placing sources at the center of consideration.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
And let’s not get started on neighborhood historic preservation gatekeepers where, say, using the wrong balusters on your porch can set off World War III with your neighbors.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
Writing is full of gatekeepers.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
Also an actor, writer, and producer, Elia is someone who has consistently found ways to create on his own terms, rather than waiting on approval from gatekeepers.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Some of the key gatekeepers include your key formation documents and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
There are gatekeepers, and there are soul partners.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
The Supreme Court had agreed to consider the case last year, taking on a years-long legal battle between the major record labels and the internet provider, with the labels saying internet gatekeepers should be held responsible for their users’ infringing behaviors.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gatekeepers
Noun
-
Many Japanese elementary schools don’t have janitors, so the clean-up work is left to students.—
Stephen Wade,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The former series brought aliens to Earth; the latter followed two janitors accidentally launched into space.—
Carmel Dagan,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But in advance of the possible doorman and porters strike scheduled to start Monday at midnight, folks all over town are reviewing building-management contingency plans warning of everything from extra chores to bans on moves.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The deal was announced at a news conference Friday afternoon, preventing a strike by some 34,000 handypersons, supers, porters and doorpersons that could've gotten underway next week.—
Doug Williams,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gatekeepers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gatekeepers. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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