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

Kreamer served as the first woman elected to the Harford County Council from 1978 to 1982, then as a state delegate for two terms. — Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Threatened plants and animals have been the focus for the past two weeks in Armenia, where delegates from around the world have gathered for the United Nations summit on biodiversity. — Eric Niiler, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

Additionally, under the current process, the mayor cannot delegate authority to approve contracts worth more than $5 million and awarded by a method other than competitive bidding. — Digital Producer, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Over the years, Congress has delegated broad powers to the executive to impose tariffs for national security and other reasons—powers that recent administrations have used with reckless abandon. — Theodore Bunzel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026

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