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Synonyms

emissary

American  
[em-uh-ser-ee] / ˈɛm əˌsɛr i /

noun

plural

emissaries

  1. a representative sent on a mission or errand.

    emissaries to negotiate a peace.
    Synonyms:
    legate, envoy, ambassador, delegate

  2. an agent sent on a mission of a secret nature, as a spy.

  3. Anatomy. sending or coming out, as certain veins that pass through the skull and connect the venous sinuses inside with the veins outside.

  4. pertaining to an emissary.

adjective

  1. Archaic. sent forth, as on a mission.

emissary British  
/ ˈɛmɪsərɪ, -ɪsrɪ /

noun

    1. an agent or messenger sent on a mission, esp one who represents a government or head of state

    2. ( as modifier )

      an emissary delegation

  2. an agent sent on a secret mission, as a spy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. (of veins) draining blood from sinuses in the dura mater to veins outside the skull

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of emissary

1595–1605; < Latin ēmissārius one sent out, equivalent to ēmiss- ( emission ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bini — already stadium-sized superstars in Asia — is the latest emissary in Coachella’s reach for new sounds from around the globe.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"The emissary, Félix Plasencia, would be the first representative of the country's ruling political movement, known as chavismo, to visit the American capital in an official capacity in years," the newspaper wrote.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Witkoff’s presence as Trump’s de facto dealmaker has attracted much more attention, but Driscoll has emerged as a trusted White House emissary whose stature is only growing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

And nothing illustrates that better than the man Trump has deployed as his lead emissary in the negotiations: Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

So, the next day, with Magistrate Tiger and his entire army prepared for destruction, the emissary led the way to the home of the happy family.

From "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.