1
as in ambassadors
a person sent on a mission to represent another
most of the industrialized nations of the world sent emissaries to the conference on global warming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in spies
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country
the embassy's staff likely contains at least one emissary who reports to the home country's chief of intelligence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of emissaries
In 2021, Biden emissaries turned to the Roman Catholic Church for help, former Biden-era officials told USA TODAY.
—
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Expect emissaries from the ever-changing world of media.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
The overconfidence of the pro-Trump push in country music pre- and postelection is backfiring on many of its most enthusiastic emissaries.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The ruling marks a notable victory for emissaries of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, who have often been met with legal challenges when establishing centers.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
After sharing a meal and laying out gifts, the emissaries would insist that the Indians move to where the animals were plentiful.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Past presidents have at times entrusted unusual emissaries to conduct diplomacy.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Volar, a dating app that launched in late 2023, even let people train an AI version of themselves that flirted with someone else’s AI as a pre‑date screening, like two emissaries handling the small talk before the generals sit down.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
This week, a number of the continent’s trade emissaries and heads of state have pushed for an expeditious extension of the program’s benefits—namely, duty-free access to the United States market for more than 1,800 products from 32 countries.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Expect emissaries from the ever-changing world of media.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
The overconfidence of the pro-Trump push in country music pre- and postelection is backfiring on many of its most enthusiastic emissaries.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The ruling marks a notable victory for emissaries of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, who have often been met with legal challenges when establishing centers.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
After sharing a meal and laying out gifts, the emissaries would insist that the Indians move to where the animals were plentiful.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Past presidents have at times entrusted unusual emissaries to conduct diplomacy.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
Volar, a dating app that launched in late 2023, even let people train an AI version of themselves that flirted with someone else’s AI as a pre‑date screening, like two emissaries handling the small talk before the generals sit down.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
This week, a number of the continent’s trade emissaries and heads of state have pushed for an expeditious extension of the program’s benefits—namely, duty-free access to the United States market for more than 1,800 products from 32 countries.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emissaries
Noun
-
Gracie is among celebrities in each host city will serve as global ambassadors, connecting with fans and promoting local tourism and culture.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
Lally has been named as one of 48 centenarian ambassadors still alive today who were born in Ireland between 1920 and 1926 and whose names appear on the official census records that were released by the Irish National Archives in April.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Big tech and corporate spies Grady’s stewardship of state money has been questioned in the past.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Kaarsbo—who had spent fifteen years working alongside Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan—was not too concerned about professional spies.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, US envoys were holding regular talks with Iran over a potential new nuclear deal.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
-
Foreign leaders have condemned his on-camera treatment of the detainees and several countries summoned Israeli envoys to air their concerns.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
That same year, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected was killed in Spain, with Russian operatives as the prime suspects.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
Reporting showed political operatives with ties to FPL helped orchestrate the scheme.—
Nate Monroe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Germany’s representatives to the treaty conference protested vigorously and signed the treaty only under threat of an allied invasion that would begin within a week.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
As questions swirl about James’ future, ESPN reported that James representatives and the Lakers are engaged in talks the structure of a new contract.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Federal drug agents are trying to stop the FIFA World Cup from becoming a cash cow for drug dealers who hope to profit from the millions of domestic and international visitors headed to North Texas.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Last year, amid a federal deportation surge, ICE agents there tackled protesters and made numerous arrests.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
The Declaration of Independence was unanimously adopted by the 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
As negotiations continue in Mombasa, delegates say the coming months will be critical in determining whether the new treaty becomes a transformative tool for ocean conservation or another set of international promises that fail to materialize.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
For the most part, these were not ministers with formal theological training.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
Starmer has seen the departure of several junior and senior ministers in recent weeks, as Labor Party lawmakers revolt and rivals plot, in despair at the government’s relentless unpopularity.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emissaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emissaries. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
