as in missioner
a person who is sent especially to a foreign country to do religious work (such as converting people to the religion or ministering to the sick)
The missionaries sent to the island were ultimately unsuccessful in converting the native residents.
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as in apostolic
relating to missionaries or their work
The church organizes missionary trips to a variety of countries.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of missionary
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Before that, there were Picts, Celts, and early Christian missionaries (it is thought that the great Irish warrior-saint Columba may have visited Eilean Shona).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Although her exact cause of death is unknown, many historians attribute it to the physical toll of both mob violence and her missionary travels.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for missionary
Noun
First came Catholic missionaries from Europe, who found willing converts among a population still reeling from catastrophe.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Before that, there were Picts, Celts, and early Christian missionaries (it is thought that the great Irish warrior-saint Columba may have visited Eilean Shona).
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
As Suzuki trailed Moonies all over Tokyo, his anti-missionary work took on a missionary zeal.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Although her exact cause of death is unknown, many historians attribute it to the physical toll of both mob violence and her missionary travels.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for missionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for missionary
Noun
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Kelley Hudlow, missioner for clergy formation for the diocese, told NBC affiliate WVTM of Birmingham soon after the shooting that church leaders were trying to learn more.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
17 June 2022
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Eby will continue to serve as outreach missioner at the Church of the Nativity and as priest-in-charge at St. Timothy’s Church in Athens.—
al,
al,
1 Dec. 2020
Adjective
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Like his apostolic namesake, Thomas believes unquestioningly in the evidence of his senses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Afghanistan said eight of its soldiers had been killed in Friday’s attack.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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That move came hours before Cuba's government announced that its soldiers killed four people aboard a speedboat registered in Florida that had opened fire on officers in Cuban waters.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Now Peterson is suing to assert his advisory privileges and regain access to the DAF, which was started by his late father, Gordon Peterson, a real estate investor and devout Christian, to support evangelical Christian causes.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s State of the Union address, however, was meant to appeal to a base largely composed of white evangelical Christians, Perry said.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In January, 31 priests submitted a dubia — or formal request for clarification — to the Vatican.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
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Marcos’s commanders, confronted with throngs of nuns, priests and ordinary civilians pleading, weeping and kneeling in prayer, refused orders to open fire and clear the streets, and Marcos subsequently fled to exile in Hawaii.—
Keith B. Richburg,
Washington Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The venerable monk was draped in his maroon and saffron robe, his bare feet looking ashen with dust, a few of his toes still blackened from his arduous walk.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Zen Buddhist monk and personal hero of mine Thich Nhat Hanh spent much of his life writing about mindfulness.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Missionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missionary. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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