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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in apostolic
relating to missionaries or their work
The church organizes missionary trips to a variety of countries.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of missionary
Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 May 2025
The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck to people waving U.S., Peruvian and other national flags, and stopped to bless some babies in the crowd.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
After his ordination, Prevost went to work as a missionary Peru.
—May 8, CBS News, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for missionary
Noun
Serving as missionaries in the South American country gave them both a special appreciation for their faith, according to Turley.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 May 2025
The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck to people waving U.S., Peruvian and other national flags, and stopped to bless some babies in the crowd.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
The Chicago roots of missionary Robert Prevost weren’t lost on the popular restaurant.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
After his ordination, Prevost went to work as a missionary Peru.
—May 8, CBS News, 9 May 2025
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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In these words, Peter, asked by the Master, together with the other disciples, about his faith in him, expressed the patrimony that the Church, through the apostolic succession, has preserved, deepened and handed on for two thousand years.—
Daniel Burke,
NPR,
9 May 2025
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Brothers of Pope Leo XIV share their reactions 01:43 In Peru, Leo served as a missionary and taught canon law and was later appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo and later the bishop of Chiclayo.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Unlike earlier immigration marches this week, the No Kings protests are organized to counter the June 14 military parade in D.C., which includes tanks, military vehicles and thousands of soldiers.—
Bethany Wales,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2025
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The last section includes 250 new recruits or soldiers who are reenlisting.—
Tara Copp,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The evangelical Christian community and other churches have also expressed solidarity with the members of the Belfast Hebrew Congregation, including after the recent vandalism.—
Rosario Del Valle,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
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These gatherings, which attract thousands of people each year, offer a snapshot of the issues that sharply divide the largest evangelical denomination in the U.S.—
Daniel Lombroso,
New Yorker,
28 May 2025
Noun
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That’s despite the full commitment of Dan Stevens as real-life priest Joseph Steiger.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
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But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis’ 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence and its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Leeds was first mentioned in the 8th century by Saint Bede, a monk who recorded much of what historians know about the early history of the British Isles.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2025
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Before Francis, the last pope from a religious order was Gregory XVI, a Benedictine Camaldolese monk who was pope from 1831 to 1846, according to America magazine, a Jesuit publication.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Missionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missionary. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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