informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt 
: 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
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
Meanwhile, Owen’s former girlfriend Hannah moved on with a new boyfriend for him only to turn out to be a Korean informant, leading to a blunt conversation with Owen as she was being held at a CIA site.
—
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
In one of the drug cases, an undercover officer and confidential informant went to the Higher Ground area in November and made contact with a 52-year-old man.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025
Then there is Joseph Vincent, 57, an ex-DEA informant and like Solages a Haitian American.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Among the new policies implemented, jail informants must now be approved by the sheriff, and informants used in prosecutions have to be vetted by an internal review committee in the district attorney’s office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for informant 
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Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
In one of the drug cases, an undercover officer and confidential informant went to the Higher Ground area in November and made contact with a 52-year-old man.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025
Then there is Joseph Vincent, 57, an ex-DEA informant and like Solages a Haitian American.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
Among the new policies implemented, jail informants must now be approved by the sheriff, and informants used in prosecutions have to be vetted by an internal review committee in the district attorney’s office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for informant
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Dictionary Entries Near informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt
: informer
Legal Definition
informant
noun
in·for·mant
in-ˈfȯr-mənt
: one who informs against another
specifically
: one who makes a practice especially for money of informing police of others' criminal activities
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