agent

noun

ˈā-jənt How to pronounce agent (audio)
Definition of agentnext
1
as in instrumentality
something used to achieve an end the whitening agent in the detergent is chlorine bleach the Church has been the traditional agent for social justice in impoverished countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in deputy
a person who acts or does business for another the sports agent negotiated a record-breaking contract for the baseball player

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ambassador
a person sent on a mission to represent another an undercover agent of the Crown

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4
as in spy
a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country an agent feeding information about enemy troop movements

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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 agent Smaller teams of high-agency engineers and builders are managing fleets of agents rather than executing every task by hand. — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Agbayani has spent much of his post-career time working as a ramp agent for Hawaiian Airlines and coaching his kids. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 The Lioness crew are making contact with a Ukrainian/Russian double-agent who’s been planted at Georgetown University. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2026 After the investigation, Su’s company was required to register as a foreign agent. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agent
  1. instrumentality
  2. deputy
  3. ambassador
  4. spy
  5. means
  6. representative
  7. delegate
  8. operative
Noun
  • Issued by the Wyoming Stable Token Commission, a state instrumentality created under the Wyoming Stable Token Act (2023), FRNT is fully reserved and managed in partnership with Franklin Templeton.
    — Jason Brett, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Holding the weight of cotton’s influence on the world, and thus the instrumentality of Black labor, is painful, yet necessary work.
    — Cierra Black, Essence, 9 July 2025
Definition of instrumentality
Noun
  • Experts like Chen Gang, the deputy director and senior research fellow at NUS East Asian Institute, are positive that this momentum will lead to long-term gains for Chinese chipmakers.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Because of Micron’s corporate structure, the company needed to take the exemption two times, requiring it to pay on a maximum of $800 million in assessed value, according to Brad Smith, chief deputy at the Ada County Assessor’s Office.
    — Mark Dee August 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of deputy
Noun
  • Christina Giaquinto is an organizing expert and spiritual life coach who served as a brand ambassador and organizing expert for Modular Closets.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The line between star, character and brand ambassador has disappeared.
    — Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambassador
Noun
  • During the first season of the Paramount+ spy thriller, the 34-year-old actress’ character, Cruz Manuelos, was mostly undercover.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s a fish-out-of-water rom-com wedged into, um, a spy thriller about aliens in New Mexico.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of spy
Noun
  • With an international wedding on the horizon, old friendships are tested, relationships evolve, and everyone is forced to confront what growing up really means.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 31 July 2026
  • Many of her events cost $15 or less, and Torres offers discounts or other financial support for women who want to attend but don’t have the financial means to.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of means
Noun
  • The deadline comes through a provision in the state budget that requires any municipality whose representative voted to end the project to repay $60 million that was spent on preliminary design and engineering.
    — DJ Simmons August 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Nurses will also be at all schools to monitor students' health concerns, and district representatives are going door-to-door to check on affected students.
    — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of representative
Noun
  • The festival expects more than 5,000 delegates and 1,000-plus filmmakers and artists.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • And it must be checked continuously as the agent acts, transacts, and delegates.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of delegate
Noun
  • The Israeli military said the latest strikes had targeted Hamas military operatives.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Israeli military said the strikes had targeted militant operatives.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of operative

Phrases Containing agent

Browse Nearby Words

agendas
agent
agent provocateur
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Cite this Entry

“Agent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on agent

Nglish: Translation of agent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about agent

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