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 position requires approval from the Senate and comes with an ambassador title.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Starmer — who is facing relentless domestic criticism over a flailing economy and his appointment of the disgraced Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, while grappling with a surging far-right opposition — will be praying for a smooth visit.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
History belies that interpretation, as prior to the amendment, common law prevailed and all (except Blacks, Amerindians and offspring of diplomats) were regarded as citizens at birth (one of the unenumerated rights of the Ninth Amendment).—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Martha Washington didn’t make the trip for the inauguration, but diplomats from France and Spain did.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 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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Expect emissaries from the ever-changing world of media.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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Bini — already stadium-sized superstars in Asia — is the latest emissary in Coachella’s reach for new sounds from around the globe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 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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The cherry on top for many came this week with Israel’s appointment of George Deek as its first special envoy to the Christian world.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
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The White House on Friday had said that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would be going to Islamabad.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While other countries were represented by their kings or crown princes, the UAE sent only its foreign minister to the meeting.—
Raf Sanchez,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
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On Monday, Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi met Putin in Russia to discuss the war as Russia works to maintain support for its ally while not becoming too involved in the war.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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MacArthur continues to be represented by Innovative Artists Entertainment and attorney Todd Rubenstein of Yorn, Levine, Barnes.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
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The attorney said Bjornstad had once hoped to pilot the app with Oregon State, but the ongoing situation has complicated those plans.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plenipotentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenipotentiary. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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