Synonyms of agent

agent

noun

ˈā-jənt 

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

• instrumentality
• means
• instrument
• vehicle
• agency
• mechanism
• factor
• organ
• machinery
• tool
• incentive
• power
• ministry
• ingredient
• influence
• medium
• weapon
• catalyst
• determinant
• driver
• impetus
• executor
• reason
• cause
• generator
• activator
• stimulus
• mover
• trigger
• subagent
• inspiration
• antecedent
• instigator
• animator
• expedient
• launcher
• subagency
• energizer
• occasion
• instigation

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

• deputy
• representative
• delegate
• attorney
• manager
• proxy
• rep
• ambassador
• minister
• assignee
• factor
• envoy
• commissary
• spokesperson
• procurator
• diplomat
• surrogate
• distributor
• spokesman
• replacement
• operative
• informer
• substitute
• plenipotentiary
• spy
• broker
• foreign minister
• emissary
• alternate
• sub
• intermediary
• stand-in
• diplomatist
• legate
• liaison
• speaker
• mediator
• backup
• arbitrator
• middleman
• arbiter
• relief
• pinch hitter
• mouthpiece
• conciliator
• intercessor
• peacemaker
• understudy
• point man
• prophet
• comprador
• point person
• go-between
• interposer

3

as in ambassador

a person sent on a mission to represent another

an undercover agent of the Crown

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ambassador
• representative
• delegate
• envoy
• minister
• diplomat
• emissary
• consul
• legate
• deputy
• attaché
• proxy
• missionary
• spokesperson
• foreign minister
• messenger
• procurator
• apostle
• nuncio
• ambassadress
• legation
• evangelist
• courier
• mouthpiece
• chargé d'affaires
• deputation
• detachment

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spy
• operative
• informer
• undercover
• emissary
• mole
• undercover agent
• secret agent
• asset
• spook
• courier
• intelligencer
• sleeper
• double agent
• counterspy
• spymaster
• stool pigeon
• infiltrator
• superspy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of agent

Anger toward the people who encouraged Beloozerov to pass information to them, and anger toward the agents who killed him. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

During its most recent cycles, a majority of companies incubating within Y Combinator are building their structures using AI agent models. — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

During the encounter, agents took possession of his Google Pixel and asked for its passcode. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

But protests and backlash reignited again in July after ICE agents in Texas and Maine shot and killed two men in less than a week. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing agent

• secret agent