missionary
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for missionary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person sent to spread a religion, especially Christianity, often while providing aid.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use missionary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From mission plus the suffix -ary, "relating to."
Full origin of missionary →Frequently asked questions
What does “missionary” mean?
The word “missionary” means a person sent to spread a religion, especially Christianity, often while providing aid. In plain terms, someone (or something) devoted to spreading a religious faith, often combined with charitable work.
How do you pronounce “missionary”?
“Missionary” is pronounced MIHSH-uhn-rih (/ˈmɪʃ.əˌnɛɹ.ɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “missionary” in a sentence?
Here is “missionary” used in a sentence: “The missionary spent years building schools overseas.”
What part of speech is “missionary”?
Depending on how it is used, “missionary” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “missionary” come from?
The word “missionary” comes from Latin. From mission plus the suffix -ary, "relating to.".
Is “missionary” a common word?
“Missionary” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “missionary” have?
“Missionary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person sent to spread a religion, especially Christianity, often while providing aid.
What is the difference between a missionary and an evangelist?
A missionary is a person sent to spread a religion, especially Christianity, often while also providing humanitarian aid such as education or healthcare. An evangelist focuses more narrowly on preaching and converting others, without necessarily including the aid-work or overseas relocation associated with missionary work.
Can missionary be used as an adjective as well as a noun?
Yes, missionary can describe a person as a noun, or it can function as an adjective relating to religious missions or missionary work, as in "missionary school" or "missionary zeal."
Is missionary work limited to religious activity?
By definition, missionary work centers on spreading a religion, especially Christianity, though it frequently includes providing aid such as medical care, education, or disaster relief alongside the religious purpose.