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

Otterbein is not named in the lawsuit, and representatives did not respond to requests for comment. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Disagreement on swimming pools The Ward 2 representatives voted against the plan because of the changes to the aquatics portion of the plan. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Adjective

In sports, the rules are complex and vary according to the athlete’s representative role and the governing federation. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Many people avoid answering pollsters’ overtures, a reality that makes representative samples drawn from surveys alone nearly impossible. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026