deputy
noun
dep·u·ty ˈde-pyə-tē 
plural deputies
often attributive
1
a
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
b
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
2
: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies
Synonyms
- agent
- assignee
- attorney
- commissary
- delegate
- envoy
- factor
- minister
- procurator
- proxy
- rep
- representative
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks
Recent Examples on the Web Ken Cuccinelli, former acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, told Fox that the bussing is creating political pressure on the White House, particularly with just a few months until the midterms. 
Adam Shaw, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2022 Bruce Meyer, the union’s deputy executive director, sent a letter to MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem that claimed a majority of roughly 5,400 minor leaguers had signed authorization cards. Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters, the online event featured commentary from a range of experts, including Kim Fountain, deputy chief executive officer of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the IIF and an expert on Russia’s economy, says that isn’t a coincidence. Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 Joey Walters, Arkansas Activities Association deputy executive director, said that the association started requiring the use of WetBulbs for athletic practices in 2018. Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2022 Tesla deputy general counsel Dinna Eskin warned of legal action if O'Dowd did not comply with the automaker's demands. Matt Mcfarland, CNN, 25 Aug. 2022 But on Wednesday, Trish O’Connell, Atlanta Housing’s deputy chief real estate officer, said the developers proposed to build 1,311 units. Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, ajc, 24 Aug. 2022 The capacity of Sichuan’s hydropower plants has fallen by half, Zhou Jian, deputy chief engineer of the State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Control Center, said on state television. BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Adam Shaw, Fox News, 10 Sep. 2022 Bruce Meyer, the union’s deputy executive director, sent a letter to MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem that claimed a majority of roughly 5,400 minor leaguers had signed authorization cards. Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters, the online event featured commentary from a range of experts, including Kim Fountain, deputy chief executive officer of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the IIF and an expert on Russia’s economy, says that isn’t a coincidence. Josh Zumbrun, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 Joey Walters, Arkansas Activities Association deputy executive director, said that the association started requiring the use of WetBulbs for athletic practices in 2018. Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2022 Tesla deputy general counsel Dinna Eskin warned of legal action if O'Dowd did not comply with the automaker's demands. Matt Mcfarland, CNN, 25 Aug. 2022 But on Wednesday, Trish O’Connell, Atlanta Housing’s deputy chief real estate officer, said the developers proposed to build 1,311 units. Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, ajc, 24 Aug. 2022 The capacity of Sichuan’s hydropower plants has fallen by half, Zhou Jian, deputy chief engineer of the State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Control Center, said on state television. BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
deputy
noun
dep·u·ty ˈde-pyə-tē
plural deputies
: a person who officially acts for or in place of another
Legal Definition
deputy
noun
dep·u·ty ˈde-pyə-tē
plural deputies
1
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
2
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
specifically : deputy sheriff
deputy 1 of 2
noun
1
as in delegate
a person who acts or does business for another the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- delegate
- representative
- agent
- attorney
- minister
- manager
- ambassador
- envoy
- procurator
- rep
- proxy
- spokesperson
- commissary
- assignee
- spokesman
- diplomat
- factor
- plenipotentiary
- replacement
- surrogate
- distributor
- speaker
- liaison
- foreign minister
- substitute
- diplomatist
- operative
- legate
- emissary
- sub
- informer
- spy
- alternate
- broker
- backup
- understudy
- arbitrator
- mediator
- stand-in
- intermediary
- conciliator
- arbiter
- peacemaker
- pinch hitter
- mouthpiece
- middleman
- intercessor
- relief
- prophet
- point man
- comprador
- point person
- go-between
- compradore
- interposer
2
as in assistant
a person who helps a more skilled person a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks Synonyms & Similar Words
- assistant
- aide
- adjutant
- apprentice
- aid
- lieutenant
- sidekick
- adjunct
- coadjutor
- helper
- servant
- helpmate
- employee
- maid
- mate
- helpmeet
- subordinate
- worker
- attendant
- auxiliary
- underling
- maidservant
- scullion
- handmaiden
- legman
- laborer
- hireling
- employe
- swamper
- help
- handmaid
- right hand
- aide-de-camp
- hand
- girl Friday
- gal Friday
- man Friday
deputy
2 of 2adjective
as in junior
Synonyms & Similar Words
- assistant
- junior
- under
- assisting
- coadjutor
- subordinate
- second
- subsidiary
- secondary
- less
- last
- ancillary
- lesser
- lower
- lowly
- inferior
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- chief
- principal
- first
- presiding
- head
- primary
- supreme
- prime
- lead
- senior
- leading
- premier
- top
- commanding
- foremost
- high
- preeminent
- supervisory
- supereminent
- overseeing
- directing
- managing
- controlling
- ruling
- high-level
- regnant
- reigning
- officiating