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
The task held spiritual import for the missionaries, but conversion was also a powerful political instrument of Spanish imperialism. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026 He was arrested while trying to explore a new sea route for the entrance of missionaries into Korea. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Leo spent two decades ministering in Peru as a missionary priest and then bishop, and has credited the place and its people with shaping his view of the church and being a shepherd. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 Leo lived in Peru as a missionary priest and bishop for over 20 years. — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 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
  • Leo and Dylan were both seen meeting in the Vatican’s apostolic palace, the pope’s residence, on Wednesday.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Beyond his role within the church, the Pope is also a key international figure, frequently speaking out on high-profile topics such as artificial intelligence and immigration, and making apostolic journeys abroad.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of apostolic
Noun
  • This allows soldiers to retain the option of using an unexpended round as conventional mortar ammunition if it is not dropped or mission requirements change.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • MacPherson will play Dugan, a Special Forces soldier toughened by years of combat, joining the film’s two leads.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of soldier
Adjective
  • South America remains the continent with the largest Catholic population, although recent years has seen a decline in numbers, and the rise of evangelical churches.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
  • As evangelical Christians grew into a crucial voting bloc for the Republican Party, communist accusations against the left have appeared now and again to mobilize the base.
    — Benjamin Stephen, Vox, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of evangelical
Noun
  • But the priest begins to quietly resist, secretly returning the bodies to their families at great personal risk.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The federal agents departed the hospital shortly after a priest appeared at the scene of the protest, video shows.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of priest
Noun
  • What the pledge doesn’t require The pledge doesn’t require Zuckerberg to live like a monk.
    — Emma Witman, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Ælfwig is a slightly stronger contender, according to the study, as he was known to have been a monk at Westminster before becoming abbot and may therefore have had a clearer connection to the church.
    — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of monk

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Missionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missionary. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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