-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Revelations that Tarrio had acted as an informant for law enforcement in 2012 and 2014 caused further divides in the group.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
The investigation never uncovered evidence of a key claim — that both father and son accepted a bribe — and the former FBI informant who made the claim pleaded guilty last year to fabricating the claim.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Last week a federal judge sentenced the former informant, Alexander Smirnov, to six years in prison.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
The report also detailed Weiss' investigation into a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to lying to FBI agents and providing them a fake story about the Bidens.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for informant
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1641, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to informant
Dictionary Entries Near informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on informant
Nglish: Translation of informant for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of informant for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about informant
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share