missionary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of missionarynext
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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missionary

2 of 2

adjective

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

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 missionary
Noun
After high school Devey spent two years in Costa Rica as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. — Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 The destination is distinctive on its own, not far from the northern reaches of Chilean Patagonia and a site of UNESCO World Heritage churches built by Jesuit missionaries in the 18th century. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Adjective
Built in the 19th century as a missionary complex, the school embodies layers of history for which Rome is known. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026 Two other American missionary doctors in Congo, Peter Stafford and Rebekah Stafford, were also exposed and evacuated. — Nikol Mudrová, USA Today, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for missionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for missionary
  1. missioner
  2. apostolic
  3. soldier
  4. evangelical
  5. priest
  6. monk
Noun
  • In 1976, the residence was redesigned as a retirement home for church missioners.
    — George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of missioner
Adjective
  • On June 2, 1979, Pope John Paul II set out from Rome on an apostolic journey, as papal trips away from the Vatican are called.
    — Paul Elie, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
  • The leader of the Roman Catholic Church directed his remarks to university students at the Catholic University of Central Africa in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, during an 11-day apostolic journey in Africa.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of apostolic
Noun
  • The soldiers sent back an empty tank shell and a video thanking him.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • All along the parapets, Ormund’s child soldiers are vomiting and pissing themselves.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of soldier
Adjective
  • Preaching in the village of Manjacaze, his inspiration and congregation dwindling, evangelical Pastor Hélder turns to black magic to fire up his oratory and heal his parishioners.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Paxton performed best among white evangelical Christians, rural voters, regular worshippers, men, voters ages 65 and older, and white men without a college degree.
    — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 31 July 2026
Definition of evangelical
Noun
  • When 70 chickens at a local farm lay 128 eggs in just one night after the arrival of a red helmet biker Emanuel, the event is described as a miracle and Emanuel hailed by the local priest as a prophet of divine powers.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Moretta is 10 years past the customary retirement age for Catholic priests.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of priest
Noun
  • The monk-to-entrepreneur pipeline has shocked some of his fans and followers who say making $21 million a year is antithetical to a monk lifestyle.
    — Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Users who have downloaded his app include a strip club owner, a Buddhist monk and parents.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of monk

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Cite this Entry

“Missionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missionary. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of missionary for Spanish Speakers

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