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Definition of missionary

missionary

/ˈmɪʃ.ə.nɛr.i/
mis · sion · ar · y
Plural:missionaries
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missionary Lexical Profile

missionary Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or characteristic of a religious mission or the people sent to carry it out.

Example

"The organization funded missionary schools and clinics throughout the region."

Synonyms
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• noun

1

A person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote a faith and provide charitable services in a foreign country.

Example

"The missionary spent twenty years building schools and translating texts in the remote province."

2

A person who strongly advocates or campaigns for a particular cause, doctrine, or movement.

Example

"She became a passionate missionary for renewable energy and sustainable urban planning."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for missionary
Antonyms
View all antonyms for missionary

• Rhymes for missionary

• Nearby Words

missile
missing
mission
missionary
mississauga
mississippi
mississippi river

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-17th century from Modern Latin missionarius, derived from Latin missio ('act of sending') and mittere ('to send').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Missionary. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/missionary
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