Synonyms of delegate

delegate 1 of 2

noun

ˈde-li-gət 

1

as in ambassador

a person sent on a mission to represent another

the delegate had a list of concerns to discuss with the country's new prime minister

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in representative

a person who acts or does business for another

the real estate developer sent a delegate to the town meeting to represent his interests

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

delegate

2 of 2

verb

ˈde-li-ˌgāt 

1

as in to appoint

to appoint as one's representative

he delegated his son to go pick up the tickets for him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appoint
• deputize
• commission
• assign
• depute
• nominate
• designate
• charge
• name

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abrogate
• abdicate

2

as in to hand

to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

a manager who is reluctant to delegate authority to subordinates

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hand
• leave
• transfer
• entrust
• give
• relinquish
• deliver
• pass
• transmit
• trust
• commit
• commend
• grant
• confide
• recommend
• vest
• hand over
• turn over
• assign
• loan
• submit
• consign
• confer
• give over
• distribute
• repose
• lend
• divide
• deal (out)
• will
• bequeath
• dispense
• furnish
• supply
• surrender
• turn in
• disperse
• yield
• hand in
• release
• hand down
• advance
• recommit
• hand on
• redeliver
• retransmit
• retransfer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold
• retain
• keep
• withhold
• receive
• own
• possess
• accept
• reserve
• take
• hold back
• occupy
• detain
• take over
• take in

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of delegate

Noun

In Philadelphia, fireworks began to crack as early as midday near the site where the Declaration of Independence was adopted by delegates to the Second Continental Congress. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

In Philadelphia, fireworks began to crack as early as midday in the birthplace of the nation near the site where the Declaration of Independence was adopted by delegates to the Second Continental Congress. — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Verb

Yes, the executive has the power under the law to issue and terminate TPS, but the law is clear that this is not a decision delegated to the occupant of the Oval Office; it’s supposed to be made by Homeland Security officials after careful consideration of country conditions by experts. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026

Meanwhile, the proposal to allow the City Council to delegate authority to boards and commissions would let some proposals be approved at that level instead of coming before the City Council. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

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