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
Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, Geoff Duncan, a former Republican Lieutenant Governor turned Democrat, and Mike Thurmond, a longtime Georgia representative lead the polls for Democrats in the gubernatorial race.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Rivera, who served one term in Congress, also used about $300,000 for his unsuccessful bid for a state representative seat in 2018, according to court records.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for representative
Noun
Last night, while attending the garden party hosted at the residence of the British ambassador to the United States, Queen Camilla made a beeline to talk to representatives from organizations working with survivors of domestic abuse.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, Geoff Duncan, a former Republican Lieutenant Governor turned Democrat, and Mike Thurmond, a longtime Georgia representative lead the polls for Democrats in the gubernatorial race.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll surveyed 2,560 US adults on April 24-28, using a nationally representative panel.
—Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Rivera, who served one term in Congress, also used about $300,000 for his unsuccessful bid for a state representative seat in 2018, according to court records.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for representative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for representative
Noun
-
State delegates wrote a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, claiming there has been a lack of transparency surrounding the leak.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
They are given the task of hosting world leaders, dignitaries, and delegates—and, as every Southerner knows, that means serving up the perfect menu.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Storrie is an official ambassador for Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
Nicole Kidman Co-chair and Chanel ambassador Nicole Kidman wore a long-sleeve red paillette gown with a close fit through the torso and a straight skirt that skimmed the floor before pooling into a small train in the back.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
For example, a single high-quality crown or veneer at a private London clinic can cost £600 to £1,200 or more, whereas similar work in Turkey is often much lower.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Now, a group of doctors is using the example of Hurricane Helene to urge federal lawmakers to help improve access to substance use medications in severe weather emergencies.—
Andrew Jones,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In typical fashion, singer and fashion powerhouse Rihanna shut down the carpet as the final guest to arrive much earlier than in year’s past.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
Comparing local rents to a broad measure of monthly ownership cost for a buyer – mortgage, taxes, insurance and maintenance – Zillow found the typical California renter in the six metros theoretically saved $191 monthly compared with owning.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
During a brief appearance in front of the cameras, the pope gave Rubio the symbolic gift of an olive-wood pen.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
-
Once the most powerful jobs in television, evening anchors like Tony Dokoupil now occupy a more symbolic perch.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Gerard Moorer, 42, of Chicago, who served as Davis’ deputy district director and ran unsuccessfully for the statehouse himself in 2020, was charged in the nine-page indictment with three counts of wire fraud, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
An Israeli official told CNN that Israel believes the deputy commander of the Radwan force was also hurt in the attack.—
Alejandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last weekend, the president said.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Soil vapor sampling, which is an evolving science, involves collecting underground gas samples to detect volatile organic compounds associated with human decomposition.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
For troubleshooting, home gardeners can contact their local CSU Extension office to speak with a master gardener, who can evaluate photos or samples and, if necessary, escalate the issue to specialists.—
Jamie Siebrase,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Representative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/representative. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
