as in ambassador
technical
a person (such as a diplomat) who has complete power to do business for a government
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Recent Examples of plenipotentiary
All empires have, like the Roman Empire, been… The American System and the World Organization
On the day our plenipotentiaries exchange their full powers, an immortal date will be inscribed in American diplomatic history.
—
Ezequiel Padilla, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2024
Walpole’s most frequent correspondent was Horace Mann, the British plenipotentiary in Florence, Italy.
—Catherine Ostler, WSJ, 15 Apr. 2022
Then came Bob, the king of Thailand’s valet plenipotentiary.
—Alejandro Varela, Harper's magazine, 16 Sep. 2019
Morris was eventually the United States’ plenipotentiary to France and spent years afterward touring Europe and having affairs there.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 4 June 2019
Ezequiel Padilla, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2024
Walpole’s most frequent correspondent was Horace Mann, the British plenipotentiary in Florence, Italy.
—Catherine Ostler, WSJ, 15 Apr. 2022
Then came Bob, the king of Thailand’s valet plenipotentiary.
—Alejandro Varela, Harper's magazine, 16 Sep. 2019
Morris was eventually the United States’ plenipotentiary to France and spent years afterward touring Europe and having affairs there.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 4 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plenipotentiary
Noun
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The Club's central staircase is the sort that Bond might descend slowly in a dinner jacket alongside the American ambassador; these days guests rush up and down it in trainers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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It later was disclosed that Mandelson had been approved for the ambassador’s job despite failing security checks, a revelation that sparked bitter blame-trading between Starmer and senior civil servants who oversaw the security vetting.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Russia had vowed more intense attacks and warned foreign diplomats to abandon Kyiv.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
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Set the scene From visiting diplomats and business travelers to tourists with designer luggage, the lobby is abuzz with guests and locals, who often come here for short meetings, social events, or a tasty bite to eat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The trouble, rather, is that even our top foreign-policy experts and our most sophisticated diplomatists are creatures of our own cultural heritage and intellectual environment.—
Nicholas Eberstadt,
National Review,
11 Sep. 2017
Noun
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In 2021, Biden emissaries turned to the Roman Catholic Church for help, former Biden-era officials told USA TODAY.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Expect emissaries from the ever-changing world of media.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, papal legates—diplomatic representatives—continue their external functions.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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Miami Herald sources said Anido Cuesta, who lives in Spain, has been traveling to foreign nations lately as an unofficial envoy for his stepfather.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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However, this gradually fades as Rimbaud goes from an adventurous youth in London and Paris to a forward-thinking colonial envoy in Algeria decades later — a passage of time marked by theatrical lighting cues — and Draper’s performance turns inward, becoming meaningfully introspective.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Noun
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As Cyril’s phone buzzed with calls from Haiti’s prime minister, foreign minister and federation officials seeking updates on Pierre’s arrival, the midfielder was rushed to Fort Lauderdale Stadium.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
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The alliance includes the New Unity party of his predecessor, Evika Silina, and Baiba Braže keeps her post as foreign minister in the new administration.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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During closing arguments before the jury Tuesday, Grossman’s attorney, Esther Holm, echoed that claim.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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He will be required to attend an alcohol treatment program, Laboeuf’s attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, told the AP.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plenipotentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenipotentiary. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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