1
as in delegate
a person who acts or does business for another
a representative from the car dealership called to ask how we were enjoying the new car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in ambassador
a person sent on a mission to represent another
I speak on this matter as a representative of the people of the U.S.
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in example
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like
this song is a fairly good representative of the other songs on the album
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in typical
having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind
a representative example of what that talented chef can do with even simple ingredients
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in symbolic
having the function or meaning of an object or figure that stands for something else
a red cross on this map is representative of a hospital or other medical facility
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 representative
Abdi Nor Iftin, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The post included suggestions about what to say on the phone when speaking to representatives in Congress.
—Sarah Sotoodeh , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
When a new album comes out, a representative single is featured on an editorial or algorithmicized playlist alongside a hundred other new songs.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for representative
Noun
Those who break the oath are not representatives of Somali Americans.
—Abdi Nor Iftin, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
The post included suggestions about what to say on the phone when speaking to representatives in Congress.
—Sarah Sotoodeh , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Even the language of the au pair program itself is not really representative of reality.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
When a new album comes out, a representative single is featured on an editorial or algorithmicized playlist alongside a hundred other new songs.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for representative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for representative
Noun
-
The 27% Self-Automator rate in our study—among highly skilled, motivated professionals who knew their performance was being evaluated—suggests that the temptation to over-delegate is powerful.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Against the backdrop of the French Riviera, the most recent edition of ILTM brought together more than 9,000 delegates and 2,700 travel brands.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On Tuesday morning, students will be greeted by faculty, student ambassadors, and the Pali High band as families, alumni, and neighbors line the streets to welcome the campus back to life.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Learn how to channel the same luxurious look seen in Jenner's iconic home tour, straight from the paint brand's ambassador and color consultant himself.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Late on December 22, for example, mere hours after the shooting, detectives visited Barry and James, both of them still in the ER with conditions listed as critical, to record their official statements.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
For example, the recent announcement regarding a $200 billion MBS purchase helped push rates downward.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In other words, the typical beneficiary of tighter air quality standards is an elderly retiree, not a child or a working-age adult.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Zillow calculates the value of a typical home using the average middle third of home values (eliminating statistical anomalies at the high and low end).—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The European Union agreed Thursday to list Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization over Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, the bloc's top diplomat said, in a largely symbolic move that adds to international pressure on the Islamic Republic.—
SAM McNEIL AND JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Fremont has been central to Tesla’s US operations, making the change a symbolic break from the company’s earlier focus on high-end electric vehicles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Shortly after being resentenced, Thompson escaped from the Harris County jail in Houston by walking out the front door virtually unchallenged by deputies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Among those expected to testify Wednesday was Juan Lopez Vega, deputy field office director of ICE's enforcement and removal operations in Miami, who unsuccessfully tried to quash a subpoena compelling him to show up in court on Wednesday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Others included peace missions special envoy Steve Witkoff, whose son Andrew died in 2011 from an opioid overdose.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Egypt and Qatar have moved to mediate, with senior officials holding calls with Iranian leaders and Trump’s Middle East envoy in an effort to ease tensions.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Testing is often done using a sample of blood to detect and quantify specific proteins.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Wang is also interested in replicating the texture and aesthetics of tree bark in jacquard, particularly samples that are etched and carved.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Representative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/representative. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
