Synonyms of emissary

emissary

noun

ˈe-mə-ˌser-ē 

1

as in ambassador

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

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

2

as in spy

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

• spy
• agent
• operative
• mole
• undercover agent
• undercover
• secret agent
• informer
• asset
• spook
• intelligencer
• courier
• sleeper
• spymaster
• double agent
• infiltrator
• counterspy
• stool pigeon
• superspy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of emissary

Beck was playing a shabby, malnourished musician living in a shack who acts as an emissary of a weird celebrity cult. — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

See pictures from the funeral below, along with a list of the foreign emissaries who attended. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026

According to the news release, the school is also expanding its participation in the Shinshinim program—two new young emissaries from Israel will join the school for a year before their army service. — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Serra’s immersive event, a rapture of colors and shadows, pays fittingly grandiose tribute to an emissary of a legendary cinematic era. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

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