emissaries

noun

plural of emissary
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

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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 Sick of It All were NYHC’s most welcoming emissaries, and their mouthpiece was Lou Koller, whose death was announced Friday. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026 The president’s top-two emissaries also happen to be the highest-profile potential candidates to succeed him. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emissaries
  1. ambassadors
  2. spies
  3. envoys
  4. operatives
  5. representatives
  6. agents
  7. delegates
  8. ministers
Noun
  • So, then, when Zheng managed to bring home ambassadors who brought a second giraffe?
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Enjoy live music and up-close encounters with animal ambassadors.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambassadors
Noun
  • Germany’s cabinet approved new rules for its spies Wednesday to lift World War II-era restrictions on offensive cyber operations, sabotage, and espionage.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • It was announced in June that the duo was reuniting to play estranged father-daughter spies for Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne’s new project.
    — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of spies
Noun
  • When British envoys arrive promising support for Rukumba’s independence from Uganda in exchange for access to the snow for scientific research, the village committee embraces the deal as progress.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nagasaki officials said seats for Taiwanese officials were located just behind other envoys and were not clearly distinguished as nondiplomatic guests.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of envoys
Noun
  • The Paramount+ spy thriller, now in its third season, follows Joe, the leader of the CIA’s covert Lioness Program, which recruits female operatives to befriend women connected to high-value terrorist targets.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Mexican authorities have dismantled well over a thousand clandestine drug laboratories, seized enormous quantities of narcotics and fentanyl pills, arrested thousands of cartel operatives, and extradited major criminal figures to the United States.
    — Chris Shays, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of operatives
Noun
  • The justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Variety has reached out to representatives for ABC and Gutman for comment.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of representatives
Noun
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and officers may soon be equipped with gloves that deliver electrical shocks, which the manufacturer says are intended to de-escalate encounters with individuals.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In both of last month's shootings, agents were not wearing body cameras.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of agents
Noun
  • This week, Cuba commemorated Castro with events including the International Book Fair, art exhibitions, concerts and gatherings of delegates from leftist organizations across the continent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Attendance of international industry professional delegates to the LFF has doubled over the last five years.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of delegates
Noun
  • The arrangement includes a new organization, to be overseen by a secretariat in Saudi Arabia, and regular meetings among the foreign and defense ministers of the three countries, along with their military chiefs.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The symbol of an institution that for decades has prepared many of Ukraine’s top public finance officials and ministers sat bomb-blasted and unusable.
    — Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of ministers

Browse Nearby Words

emirs
emissaries
emissary
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Cite this Entry

“Emissaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emissaries. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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