agent

noun

ˈā-jənt How to pronounce agent (audio)
Definition of agentnext
1
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end the whitening agent in the detergent is chlorine bleach the Church has been the traditional agent for social justice in impoverished countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deputy
a person who acts or does business for another the sports agent negotiated a record-breaking contract for the baseball player

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ambassador
a person sent on a mission to represent another an undercover agent of the Crown

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4
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country an agent feeding information about enemy troop movements

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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 agent Surveillance video of the incident reviewed by ABC News appears to show the agent maneuvering his vehicle in the direction of the man running and striking him with the vehicle. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 McConnell said one of the ICE agents was trying to box in the passenger, Parra-Hernandez, when he was struck. — Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 The commercial-grade observatory, similar to those found on some university campuses, is a defining feature of the three-story, six-bedroom, nine-bathroom home, according to listing agent Shawn Byrne of Ron Byrne & Associates. — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 Dominguez pressed Rahmer about Balthazar’s reported work as a foreign agent, apparently on behalf of the Haitian government. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agent
  1. instrumentality
  2. deputy
  3. ambassador
  4. spy
  5. means
  6. representative
  7. delegate
  8. operative
Noun
  • Advertisement The war on terror represented a failed effort to impose a unipolar order on the world, one that could no longer rely on the economic instrumentality of globalization alone.
    — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Issued by the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, a state instrumentality created under the Wyoming Stable Token Act (2023), FRNT is fully reserved and managed in partnership with Franklin Templeton.
    — Jason Brett, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of instrumentality
Noun
  • Thurman said Life Time has a contract with Freeman Health System for emergency medical services and is set to pay overtime for McDonald County Sheriff's Office deputies working to keep the race safe.
    — Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • One deputy was caught directly under branches and the tree's trunk, but was spared in part by the SUV obstructing the fall.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • In August, Under Armour named the rapper its global brand ambassador and creative director of P-Star, a new platform spanning apparel, footwear and community initiatives.
    — Emanuel Okusanya, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Later on, in the fourth quarter, after an errant pass was batted upward and, eventually, into the hands of an offensive lineman, Kelce, ever the ambassador for his undersung position, was full of primal delight.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambassador
Noun
  • Then Sean moves away and grows up to become a spy who, after wrapping up a mission involving smuggling a nuclear warhead for reasons unknown, decides to pay an impromptu visit to his tweenage buddies.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The actor grew up immersed in the entertainment business as the son of one of Hollywood's most famous spies.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of spy
Noun
  • For Lev, assessing what participants take home means asking about their behavior.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • On social media, viewers immediately marveled at Rosalía’s ability to deliver her usual powerful vocals during the first song while striking the pose — and some wondered if she was somehow being propped up through unseen means.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of means
Noun
  • In the records provided to Sportico, the school redacted the name and identifying details of Moore’s representative and the location where his items were sent.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • One of two PetSmart locations in southeast Folsom will close next month, a representative for the company said in an email.
    — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of representative
Noun
  • More delegates from Latin America, the Arab world and Africa could lift the number of countries represented past 60, and possibly above 70.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities estimate hundreds of thousands of protesters, including students, teachers and delegates from trade unions, took to the streets on Tuesday as protests sweep the country.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of delegate
Noun
  • Annable stars in Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ series Lioness playing the husband of CIA operative Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña).
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Jamal allegedly promised to protect the Feeding Our Future operatives against the threat of prosecution, took their money, and then turned some of them over to investigators.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of operative

Phrases Containing agent

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agendas
agent
agent provocateur
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Cite this Entry

“Agent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agent. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on agent

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about agent

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