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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The Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States are scheduled to meet on Tuesday.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The State Department enlisted him as a Cold War jazz ambassador.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While raising young children, Currie finally obtained her undergraduate degree in 1968 before working on the campaign of activist and lawyer Michael Shakman to be elected delegate to the 1969-70 constitutional convention.—
Hannah Meisel,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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In an interview with The Times, Hicks said the party relies on delegates to vet candidates before endorsement votes at the party convention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kimbangu identified God with Nzambi, the deity in the Kikongo language, and presented himself as God’s envoy on Earth.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The memoir records the workings of Mughal rule, describing dealings with courtiers and envoys.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those attending court included representatives of those involved in past fundraising and members of the National People’s Congress, the country’s legislative body.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter reached out to West’s representative for comment on reports of an imminent ban in France, but did not receive an immediate response.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lula and Sánchez, along with ministers from their cabinets, are meeting at a former royal palace in Barcelona on Friday when they are expected to sign agreements regarding their economies, technology and social policies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Pakistan sent its interior minister and military chief to Tehran yesterday.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Legate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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