missive

noun

mis·​sive ˈmi-siv How to pronounce missive (audio)
: a written communication : letter
wrote a lengthy missive to her father

Examples of missive in a Sentence

She received yet another lengthy missive from her father. the two old friends like to fire off missives filled with good-natured teasing and mock insults
Recent Examples on the Web But with the latest missives in the war turning disconcertingly nasty, the scales have tipped against Drake in a way that could actually do long-standing reputational damage to his career. TIME, 7 May 2024 In the middle of my late-night TikTok scrolls, it’s been impossible to avoid Cohen’s evening missives. Makena Kelly, WIRED, 2 May 2024 The missives join a venerable tradition of prison letters that seek to influence events beyond the confining walls through their eloquence and humanity. Paul Kreitman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024 According to these missives, Adams met with Ieyasu three times in May and June 1600. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 Young Americans are using online tools to mobilize voters and send millions of missives to Congress. Sheera Frenkel, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024 Inevitably, a few were unwelcome, including missives from ultrareligious people wanting my proudly Jewish wife to get saved to spare herself from hellfire. Dan White, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024 Young unveiled his decision to return to Spotify in a missive shared to his website. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024 Eventually, according to Rohrwacher, one of O’Connor’s missives arrived at her parents’ honey farm. Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'missive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French lettre missive, literally, letter intended to be sent

First Known Use

circa 1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missive was circa 1553

Dictionary Entries Near missive

Cite this Entry

“Missive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missive. Accessed 14 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

missive

noun
mis·​sive ˈmis-iv How to pronounce missive (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on missive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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