as in letter
a message on paper from one person or group to another
the two old friends like to fire off missives filled with good-natured teasing and mock insults
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 missive
Buffett used the missive to heap praise on his successor, ensuring investors that the company remains in steady hands.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
Which means, expect more of this type of high-brow, high-class missives from the President of the United States this week.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Her missives with Epstein, which the House oversight committee released Wednesday, were exchanged years after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 in a Florida state court to prostitution charges involving an underage girl.
—Dan Mangan,eamon Javers, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
Read’s lawyer Alan Jackson in the bombshell missive to Wu is calling for Cox to be placed on the Suffolk DA’s list of officers with credibility issues — known as the Brady list.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for missive
Dave Smith, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
Which means, expect more of this type of high-brow, high-class missives from the President of the United States this week.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Her missives with Epstein, which the House oversight committee released Wednesday, were exchanged years after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 in a Florida state court to prostitution charges involving an underage girl.
—Dan Mangan,eamon Javers, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
Read’s lawyer Alan Jackson in the bombshell missive to Wu is calling for Cox to be placed on the Suffolk DA’s list of officers with credibility issues — known as the Brady list.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for missive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for missive
Noun
-
When asked by the Herald how much the new policy is expected to cost Massachusetts ratepayers compared to traditional oil, propane and natural gas, MassDEP Communications Director Lauren Moreschi referred to the state website and the December letter to stakeholders.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Restorative justice programs bring together survivors and offenders — via meetings or letters or through community panels — to try to deepen understanding, promote healing and discuss how best to make amends for a wide range of harms.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As a proud dad, the 38-year-old wrote his firstborn a sweet epistle to acknowledge his birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
7 Feb. 2025
-
One of the earliest witnesses to the spread of Christianity, the codex features the first epistle of Peter and the Book of Jonah.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN,
3 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Missive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
