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 state will select the winner from among Brown and four other finalists in July, and that teacher will serve one year as a state ambassador for teachers.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
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The first 70 cars in line will receive free gas courtesy of the film and its ambassadors, with merch also being handed out on-site while supplies last.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Directors and diplomats champion impact.—
Annika Erikson,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2026
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In previous Middle East conflicts, American diplomats constantly shuttled across the region, working with allies to build up momentum for a political resolution.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 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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Billy, who speaks in a honeyed southern accent, dresses in Old Hollywood drag, and lives alone in the defunct summer camp where Camp Miasma was shot, isn’t just an envoy from another generation but a representative of a more visceral relationship with art.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
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In addition to Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Lebanese special envoy and former ambassador to the US Simon Karam will be a part of the delegation, according to a State Department official.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Beijing is growing impatient for peace, however, with China's foreign minister urging his Pakistani counterpart on Tuesday to step up mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.—
Khaled Wassef,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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Iran dispatched its foreign minister to Beijing for high-stakes discussions after the ceasefire first took hold.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Noun
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An attorney for Sohail did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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If the divorce paperwork does not address the loan, or if your former spouse cannot qualify to refinance, talk with your family law attorney about your options.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plenipotentiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plenipotentiary. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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