Synonyms for emissary
Most common
Definitions
- n. 1
An agent sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else.
Forms
- Plural
- emissaries → envoys, messengers, agents, representatives…
Choose the right word
An emissary is rather political than military; sent rather to secretly influence opponents than to bring information concerning them; so far as he does the latter, he is not only an emissary, but a spy.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- agent I know that Tom isn't a real estate agent anymore.
- representative Our representative argued against the new tax plan.
- messenger A messenger reports that the enemy is approaching.
- envoy There's an envoy from Australia here to see you.
- missionary Sami took missionary classes in Toronto, Canada.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| emissary | steady | |
| agent | steady | |
| representative | falling | |
| messenger | rising | |
| envoy | steady | |
| missionary | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- agent2, envoy2
- 6 letters
- deputy3
- 9 letters
- messenger3
- 10 letters
- missionary4
- 11 letters
- interpreter4
- 14 letters
- representative5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (agent2 = 2 syllables).