plenipotentiary

noun

Definition of plenipotentiarynext
as in ambassador
technical a person (such as a diplomat) who has complete power to do business for a government

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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 plenipotentiary Walpole’s most frequent correspondent was Horace Mann, the British plenipotentiary in Florence, Italy. — Catherine Ostler, WSJ, 15 Apr. 2022 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 These succeeded to the extent that a meeting was brought about in 1880 between plenipotentiaries of the three belligerents and the American Ministers accredited to those countries on board an American naval vessel in the harbor of Arica. — Edwin M. Borchard, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plenipotentiary
  1. ambassador
  2. diplomat
  3. diplomatist
  4. emissary
  5. legate
  6. envoy
  7. foreign minister
  8. attorney
Noun
  • Under Milei and Lula, Argentina and Brazil have had a rocky relationship, which took a decisive turn for the worse in July when Brazil recalled its ambassador to Argentina after Milei insulted Brazilian officials while in the country.
    — Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this month, Gymshark — which is currently making a push into pilates — announced Megan Thee Stallion as its first brand ambassador.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambassador
Noun
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the conference along with diplomats from ex-Soviet nations, China and other countries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Continue reading … 'ABOUT TO GO DOWN' — Waltz reveals new details leading up to heated clash at UN with Cuban diplomat.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of diplomat
Noun
  • 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
Definition of diplomatist
Noun
  • That makes Teghaza an emissary from a wet, potentially habitable Mars.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Through a series of essays, the shlicha (Israeli emissary) chronicles the challenges and rewards of raising eight children in the modern world while living a life deeply anchored in ultra-Orthodox Judaism.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of emissary
Noun
  • However, papal legates—diplomatic representatives—continue their external functions.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of legate
Noun
  • The outlet also reported Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff are pushing for a diplomatic course rather than resuming strikes.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Meanwhile, China will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters Monday.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of envoy
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Rodríguez is already signaling an interest in working with Washington, despite some of her public rhetoric, tapping former opposition aide Oliver Blanco as foreign minister.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Tedros, an ethnic Tigrayan, served as Ethiopia’s foreign minister and health minister when the Tigray People’s Liberation Front dominated the country’s ruling coalition.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of foreign minister
Noun
  • It was recently reported that Sacks’ attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Good Influence, a company financing social media videos about his political involvement.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • He was taken to Monroe County jail and doesn’t have an attorney listed yet.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of attorney

Browse Nearby Words

plenipotentiaries
plenipotentiary
plenitude
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“Plenipotentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenipotentiary. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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