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
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3
as in ambassador
a person sent on a mission to represent another
an undercover agent of the Crown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of agent
Tensions are high between the agents and residents as the crackdown continues.
—
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Granick raised concerns about the breadth of information that the FBI could obtain if agents get access to data protected by BitLocker.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Sherwood’s agent is Judd Moldaver, who also represents Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
In one Minneapolis neighborhood filled with single-family homes, protesters confronted federal agents and attempted to disrupt their operations by blowing car horns and whistles and banging on drums.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agent
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
Granick raised concerns about the breadth of information that the FBI could obtain if agents get access to data protected by BitLocker.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Sherwood’s agent is Judd Moldaver, who also represents Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
In one Minneapolis neighborhood filled with single-family homes, protesters confronted federal agents and attempted to disrupt their operations by blowing car horns and whistles and banging on drums.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agent
Noun
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They are left wielding the tools of instrumentality: in-groups and cliques, buying effort through more money, coercive employment agreements and suits against whistleblowers.—
Dave Winsborough,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Holding the weight of cotton’s influence on the world, and thus the instrumentality of Black labor, is painful, yet necessary work.—
Cierra Black,
Essence,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Scott’s deputy, John Modlin, who had previously been the head of Border Patrol in Tucson, Arizona, was given seven days to decide whether to resign, retire, or relocate his family to Boston for an unrelated homeland security job.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
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Cellphone video reviewed by deputies reportedly shows Martinez threatening to drop the weight on the woman before throwing it toward her head.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Patrick O’Donnell is a paint expert and international brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball, a paint and wallpaper manufacturer.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Israeli media identified the official as Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu’s chief of staff, who is expected to start as the next ambassador to the United Kingdom in the coming months.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Besides Han, Yoon’s defense, safety and justice ministers, spy and police chiefs as well as some of his top military commanders have been indicted on rebellion and other charges related to the martial law imposition.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
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One worker joined the FBI and made a career in counterintelligence, sniffing out Chinese spies.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Manufacturers would also have to provide a means for first responders to access the car from outside when electric power is lost.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Taylor’s continual reinvention has meant that her fan base is wide, diverse, and representative of the US population across various demographics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
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But Gilbert believes his legal filing creates a Catch-22 for the California District 14 representative.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In 2020, delegates dipped into communal fondue fountains as COVID-19 circulated in plain view not far away.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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The Articles of Association of 1774 was signed by all 53 delegates urging colonists to boycott British goods, marking the Continental Congress's first protest against Britain.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cuban operatives played a central role in shaping how the regime monitored dissent and protected senior leadership, embedding themselves inside Venezuela’s intelligence services.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Alexis Rodríguez Cabello A Venezuelan politician and longtime Chavista operative best known for his family and political ties to Diosdado Cabello, Alexis Rodríguez Cabello is currently head of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agent. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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