Synonyms of representative

representative 1 of 2

noun

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

• delegate
• deputy
• agent
• attorney
• manager
• rep
• ambassador
• minister
• proxy
• spokesperson
• envoy
• assignee
• factor
• spokesman
• commissary
• diplomat
• procurator
• surrogate
• distributor
• replacement
• speaker
• substitute
• operative
• liaison
• alternate
• plenipotentiary
• stand-in
• emissary
• foreign minister
• diplomatist
• legate
• spy
• broker
• informer
• sub
• intermediary
• arbiter
• relief
• mediator
• backup
• arbitrator
• pinch hitter
• mouthpiece
• conciliator
• prophet
• intercessor
• peacemaker
• middleman
• understudy
• point man
• comprador
• point person
• go-between
• interposer

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

• ambassador
• delegate
• envoy
• minister
• agent
• diplomat
• emissary
• consul
• legate
• spokesperson
• deputy
• proxy
• missionary
• attaché
• foreign minister
• apostle
• messenger
• ambassadress
• procurator
• nuncio
• evangelist
• legation
• deputation
• mouthpiece
• chargé d'affaires
• courier
• detachment

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

• example
• sample
• specimen
• illustration
• instance
• case
• prototype
• indication
• exemplification
• exemplar
• case in point
• cross section
• evidence
• paradigm
• manifestation
• classic
• sign
• microcosm
• archetype
• locus classicus

representative

2 of 2

adjective

ˌre-pri-ˈzen-tə-tiv 

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

• typical
• normal
• average
• true
• standard
• characteristic
• usual
• regular
• archetypal
• ordinary
• customary
• conventional
• common
• classic
• predictable
• familiar
• predominant
• expected
• everyday
• commonplace
• routine
• textbook
• vintage
• habitual
• workaday
• preponderant
• unremarkable
• wonted
• unexceptional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abnormal
• atypical
• anomalous
• unusual
• special
• deviant
• aberrant
• unique
• irregular
• uncommon
• distinctive
• remarkable
• extraordinary
• nonrepresentative
• exceptional
• rare
• noteworthy
• singular
• unconventional
• unexpected
• unfamiliar
• infrequent
• unknown
• unpredictable
• untypical
• especial
• eccentric
• peculiar
• nontypical
• idiosyncratic
• strange
• curious
• unorthodox
• funny
• odd
• unwonted
• outlandish
• erratic
• uncustomary
• outrageous
• bizarre
• fantastic
• wild
• nonconformist
• weird
• unnatural
• out-of-the-way
• quirky
• oddball
• wacky
• funky
• screwy
• offbeat
• way-out
• freakish
• freak
• kooky
• outré
• far-out

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

• symbolic
• representational
• emblematic
• figurative
• metaphoric
• figural
• tropological
• allegorical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• actual
• literal
• nonsymbolic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of representative

Noun

The march opened with prayer and statements from Interfaith Alliance representatives. — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

When the House or Senate is in session, the parliamentarian or a member of the parliamentarian’s staff is on the floor to provide immediate assistance to the presiding representative or senator. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Psychologists Kyle Bourassa, David Sbarra and Mark Whisman used data from the nationally representative Midlife in the United States study to examine marital quality and later life satisfaction. — Kristin Vance Richards, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Melissa, who affectionately calls her daughters Big Sis and Lil Sis online, says that the fairy holding an open book in her lap is representative of her older daughter who loves to read. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026