informant

noun

in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
Synonyms of informantnext
: a person who gives information: such as
a
: informer
b
: one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator

Synonyms of informant

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Examples of informant in a Sentence

The police were alerted to the plot by a paid informant. We learned the language with the help of a native informant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The informant cut a deal with prosecutors to record Vaughn and testify against him in exchange for drug charges against him being dropped. — Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026 Remember those jailhouse informants who claimed Kezer had confessed? — Peter Henderson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 Detectives relied on confidential informants to bust the operation – an informant who purchased drugs from Robinson blew the operation open. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Dupree said Davis was signed up as a confidential informant in March 2009. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for informant

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of informant was in 1641

Rhymes for informant

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Browse Nearby Words

informal planning
informant
in forma pauperis
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Cite this Entry

“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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informant

noun
in·​for·​mant in-ˈfȯr-mənt How to pronounce informant (audio)
: one who informs against another
specifically : one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities

More from Merriam-Webster on informant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about informant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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