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 board’s high representative, Nikolay Mladenov, has said progress hinges largely on Hamas disarming — a step the group has refused to take. — Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Talarico, an Austin-area state representative, won 47% of respondents to the Texas attorney general’s 46% in the poll of 1,800 likely voters. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Taiwan’s representative office will remain in Hargeisa despite Beijing’s opposition. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

From the 760 who replied, organizers randomly selected 45, adjusting for factors such as gender, education level and age to make sure the group was representative of the city’s population. — Esther King, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026