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
Relevance
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
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
As those agents interact, patterns emerge.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
He was placed on leave in February after federal agents searched his San Pedro home and district office.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 23 Apr. 2026
Previously, agents and teams haggled over contracts that surpassed what top veteran players earned.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The Homeland Security Department says the agent acted in self-defense.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agent
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
He was placed on leave in February after federal agents searched his San Pedro home and district office.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 23 Apr. 2026
Previously, agents and teams haggled over contracts that surpassed what top veteran players earned.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
The Homeland Security Department says the agent acted in self-defense.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agent
Noun
-
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
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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
-
Blair previously served as one of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles’s deputies.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Ann-Marie Guglieri, Yale's executive deputy director/chief operating officer of athletics, and Mary Berdo, deputy director of athletics, the second- and third-ranked positions in the department under Chun, purchased a house together in Milford, Connecticut, in June 2018, the deed shows.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street in London, April 20, 2026 to face a showdown in Parliament over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
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The top prize at the ACMs (and the rival CMA Awards), Entertainer of the Year is typically regarded as recognizing the year’s best ambassador for country music.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Under the plan, FISA, which allows warrantless wiretapping of noncitizens, would be extended for three years, with new oversight guardrails and penalties for abusing the spy tool.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Apr. 2026
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Around the same time, the National Reconnaissance Office decided that two of its spy satellites were surplus to requirements and offered the hardware to NASA.—
JOHN TIMMER,
ArsTechnica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Beijing calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, Xi was cited as saying by Xinhua, while supporting all efforts conducive to restoring peace and remaining committed to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Victims are stripped of their social networks, of their means, of their access to resources like finances.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No Iranian delegation has yet departed for Islamabad, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing Iranian state TV, contradicting international media reports that a team of representatives was traveling.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Royal Family has spent the anniversary carrying out engagements and remembering the late Queen with a series of online tributes, and a reception for 190 guests, including representatives from many of the late Queen’s charities at Buckingham Palace.—
Katie Nicholl,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This latest polling is being released as the 2026 election draws closer and as Republican delegates select nominees for various races at the Massachusetts GOP Convention set for Saturday at the Worcester DCU Center.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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But delegates here at CONVERGE LIVE have emphasized that the loss of trust is a dangerous outcome of the war that will take years to rebuild.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His former clients include the political operatives Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
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During the same period, Democratic operative Mayra Macías reported raising nearly $102,000 and had more than $159,000 on hand.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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