missive

noun

mis·​sive ˈmi-siv 

: a written communication : letter

wrote a lengthy missive to her father

Synonyms

• dispatch
• epistle
• letter
• memo
• memorandum
• note

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

The missive comes after The Associated Press reported last month that Trump’s administration has internally laid out a proposal at HUD to slash its workforce in half. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025

The missives directed their way now sound aspirational. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

Further stirring the pot is the appearance of an FBI agent (Jenna Elfman) who starts snooping around into missives about Vines’ death. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025

With conflicting missives emerging over what led to the deaths of the couple, the state of the on-going police probe will be revealed later Friday in a press conference, the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office said today. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1553, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for missive

• derisive
• dismissive
• emissive
• permissive
• submissive
• transmissive

Kids Definition

missive

noun

mis·​sive ˈmis-iv 

: letter entry 1 sense 2, message