secretary of state

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hillary Clinton, Obama’s first secretary of state, was among the figures who helped set the administration’s Iran talks in motion.

From Slate • May 1, 2026

The most famous example of this involves Rex Tillerson, Trump’s first secretary of state, who learned he was fired by a presidential tweet in the middle of a trip to Africa.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

It states that "the secretary of state has the power to manage the diplomatic service...but they do not cover national security vetting."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Dulles served as Eisenhower’s secretary of state from his first inauguration until Dulles’s death from cancer, in May 1959.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

After all, he had only returned from his five-year tour of duty in France six months earlier and had just taken up his post as secretary of state in March.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis