as in ambassador
a person sent on a mission to represent another
the legate was charged with a list of objectives to accomplish on behalf of his country
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Recent Examples of legate
However, papal legates—diplomatic representatives—continue their external functions.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
In the 1520s Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal legate of England, drove forward a similar program of moral and financial reform, winding up a further 29 monasteries.
—Crawford Gribben, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2022
The Franciscan Plano Carpini, who traveled the empire as papal legate in 1246, described a draconian tax collector demanding one in three boys from every Russian family, as well as unmarried women.
—Colin Thubron, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2021
The wife of the ailing emperor sends an Imperial legate — her nephew — to investigate.
—N. K. Jemisin, New York Times, 14 July 2017
That Francis forced Festing’s resignation without deigning to pick up Burke’s gauntlet was further vindication of the Pope, who will soon appoint his own legate to run the Order.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2017
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
In the 1520s Thomas Wolsey, Cardinal legate of England, drove forward a similar program of moral and financial reform, winding up a further 29 monasteries.
—Crawford Gribben, WSJ, 29 Apr. 2022
The Franciscan Plano Carpini, who traveled the empire as papal legate in 1246, described a draconian tax collector demanding one in three boys from every Russian family, as well as unmarried women.
—Colin Thubron, The New York Review of Books, 6 July 2021
The wife of the ailing emperor sends an Imperial legate — her nephew — to investigate.
—N. K. Jemisin, New York Times, 14 July 2017
That Francis forced Festing’s resignation without deigning to pick up Burke’s gauntlet was further vindication of the Pope, who will soon appoint his own legate to run the Order.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legate
Noun
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Iran says nuclear site was targeted Reza Najafi, Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that airstrikes targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Sunday.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
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Reza Najafi, Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that airstrikes targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment site on Sunday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Because of Jesse, the Democratic Party changed its rules, ending the winner-take-all distribution of delegates during presidential primaries, which meant underdogs and outsiders like Bill Clinton or Bernie Sanders could stay competitive and build momentum instead of getting knocked out early.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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But Grégory Caulier, the general delegate of the César Awards, released a statement to Variety, putting conspiracy theories to rest.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Global superpower China also has stepped in, sending an envoy to the Middle East.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2026
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Yes, the special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, Western Hemisphere division.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This article has been edited to include a statement from Dick's representative and information on injuries Dick sustained from a 2019 attack.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
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Voters in a Democratic-leaning state House district in metro Atlanta will choose a new representative in a special election next week triggered when the incumbent resigned from her seat before a criminal indictment.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even as Italy sent defensive weapons to the Persian Gulf, its defense minister said the US-Israel attack on Iran had violated international law.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Qatar's energy minister Saad al-Kaabi told The Financial Times Friday that crude prices could reach $150 a barrel in the coming weeks if oil tankers were unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Chloe Taylor,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legate. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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