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
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Recent Examples of sentinel
The Association of American Medical Colleges should coordinate a voluntary sentinel system across member institutions.
—
Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
The gas Citizens Energy serves customers, typically methane, is naturally odorless so the company adds mercaptan, which smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, to serve as a sentinel in case there's a gas leak.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Arizona’s iconic saguaro cactuses seem like immobile sentinels standing watch over the Sonoran desert landscape.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sentinel
Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
The gas Citizens Energy serves customers, typically methane, is naturally odorless so the company adds mercaptan, which smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, to serve as a sentinel in case there's a gas leak.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Arizona’s iconic saguaro cactuses seem like immobile sentinels standing watch over the Sonoran desert landscape.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sentinel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentinel
Noun
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The legislation requires minors under 16 to link their social media accounts to a legal guardian to ensure supervision and prohibits platforms from using addictive features such as infinite scroll and the automatic play of videos.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
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Emphasising nature's power to protect this sleeping guardian is Gaia, or Mother Nature.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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The death of the guard was first reported by the New York Times, citing the Ahmed Shabaik, the mosque’s chairman.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
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Wembanyama took the ball from Stephon Castle and added to the guard’s assist total with a 27-foot three near the Oklahoma City logo to tie the game at 108 apiece with 27 seconds left.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
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But most of her extended conversations on campus were either with the administrator, Val, or with the custodian, a man named Hank who liked to park himself in her office doorway and expostulate about the upcoming hunting season.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
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Now, agencies must weigh whether to adhere to federal dictates or comply with state transparency rules, with some directing records custodians and media spokespersons to acknowledge public records requests but not fulfill them unless ICE grants approval, records show.—
Monique O. Madan,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The former warden is also accused of having accepted money to move Weekes out of solitary confinement.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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The most visible woman at the company, though, had long been Donaldson’s mother, Sue Parisher, a former military-prison warden who led the company’s HR department.—
Irin Carmon,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During this seasonal tour, guests can explore the grounds and keeper's house, as well as climb the 60 stairs to the top of the lighthouse tower.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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An own-goal charged to Dash keeper Jane Campbell accounted for the Current’s final tally.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Noun
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But a Marine sentry was spotted outside the West Wing most of the day Saturday, usually a sign the president is at work.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The soldiers would have stayed as sentries before and after the performance, symbolically guarding the legacy of Taiwan’s founder.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sentinel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentinel. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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