gatekeeper
Controls who enters
A gatekeeper controls access to something—originally the person who guards a gate, now usually figurative.
Gatekeepers decide who gets in: editors gatekeep publication, administrators gatekeep resources, fans gatekeep fandoms by challenging newcomers' credentials.
The interview is just the first gatekeeper.
To gatekeep is to restrict access, often with connotations of elitism or excessive control: Stop gatekeeping—let people enjoy things.
Building entrance attendant
- bouncerVenue entrance enforcer
- sentinelGuard who monitors
- watchmanBuilding security guard
- sentryGuard on duty
security · patrol · checkpoint · screening · monitoring · surveillance · vigilance · post
Supervisory custodian of place
- stewardManager for another
- caretakerOne who maintains property
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- protectorOne who safeguards others
overseer · conservator · curator · attendant · superintendent · groundskeeper · administrator · trustee
Collection overseer
- arbiterOne who settles disputes
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- editorOne who revises text
- moderatorOne who presates proceedings
reviewer · screener · judge · evaluator · filter · curation · shortlist · vetting
Electronic entry credential
- passwordAuthentication string
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- admissionEntry or confession
entry · privilege · credentials · authorization · verification · login · permission · badge
Constriction limiting throughput
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- intermediaryAgent linking two parties
- middlemanAgent linking two parties
- brokerTransaction intermediary for hire
barrier · obstacle · control · power · influence · exclusion · inclusion · elite
Imposing entrance or gate
- doorstepEntrance's bottom ledge
- entrywayPassage serving as entrance
- passageSegment of text
- crossingPoint where paths intersect
boundary · transition · liminal · entrance · brink · verge · access point · entry point
Settle beyond doubt
- holdMaintain in grasp
- tie-upTemporary halt or obstruction
- close rangeShort striking distance
- infightingRivalry within one organization
doorman
Building entrance attendant
sentry · security · patrol · checkpoint · screening · monitoring · surveillance · vigilance · post · duty
warden
Supervisory custodian of place
- stewardManager for another
- caretakerOne who maintains property
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
protector · overseer · conservator · curator · attendant · superintendent · groundskeeper · administrator · trustee · watchdog
curator
Collection overseer
- arbiterOne who settles disputes
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- editorOne who revises text
moderator · reviewer · screener · judge · evaluator · filter · curation · shortlist · vetting · criteria
keycard
Electronic entry credential
- passwordAuthentication string
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
admission · entry · privilege · credentials · authorization · verification · login · permission · badge · passcode
bottleneck
Constriction limiting throughput
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- intermediaryAgent linking two parties
- middlemanAgent linking two parties
broker · barrier · obstacle · control · power · influence · exclusion · inclusion · elite · insider
portal
Imposing entrance or gate
crossing · boundary · transition · liminal · entrance · brink · verge · access point · entry point · barrier to entry
clinch
Settle beyond doubt
- holdMaintain in grasp
- tie-upTemporary halt or obstruction
- close rangeShort striking distance
- mediatelevision, mass media, news, broadcasting, video
- ancient occupationssoldier, merchant, farmer, shepherd, carpenter
- butterfliesmonarch, swallowtail, painted lady, red admiral, viceroy
- castle staffchamberlain, chambermaid, butler, guard, handmaiden
- defendersdefender, guard, protector, guardian, sentry
- fightersboxer, boxers, wrestler, Muhammad Ali, fighter
gatekeeperopen door
Barrier removed for entry
welcomer · greeter · facilitator · usher · admitter
gatekeeperdemocratizer
What broadens participation
broadcaster · disseminator · sharer · free press · whistleblower
gatekeeperdemocratizer
What broadens participation
empowerer · enabler · liberator · decentralizer · disruptor
- media gatekeepersControllers of published content