missive

noun

mis·​sive ˈmi-siv 

: a written communication : letter

wrote a lengthy missive to her father

Synonyms of missive

• letter
• epistle

Examples of missive in a Sentence

She received yet another lengthy missive from her father.

the two old friends like to fire off missives filled with good-natured teasing and mock insults

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the signatories to the missive, which was organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) are artists Sophia Al-Maria, Yto Barrada, Merriam Bennani, Alfredo Jaar, Tal Shani, and Cauleen Smith. —News Desk, Artforum, 18 Mar. 2026

Spilka and Mariano did not immediately respond to the Herald’s requests for comment on Tuesday about the missive from Reading. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

The attorney general’s office did not respond to Murphy’s final missive—and has no plans to do so, an official in Mayes’s office told us. —Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026

The pamphlet published five pro-Franco missives; sixteen authors declared neutrality. —Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French lettre missive, literally, letter intended to be sent

First Known Use

circa 1553, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for missive

• derisive
• dismissive
• emissive
• permissive
• submissive
• transmissive

Kids Definition

missive

noun

mis·​sive ˈmis-iv 

: letter entry 1 sense 2, message