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
Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant charged with lying about Hunter Biden’s overseas business deals, pleaded guilty on Monday in Los Angeles to federal charges of making a false claim and tax evasion.
—
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Despite this, none of these informants have faced prosecution.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Some of the informants nevertheless did enter the restricted areas, though none have been prosecuted for taking part in the violence.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
Bombshell report: Dozens of FBI informants cleared of inciting J6 Capitol riot
Niall Stanage and Amber Duke discuss a new report revealing there were no FBI agents present the the Capitol complex on Jan. 6, 2021.
—The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
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.
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Despite this, none of these informants have faced prosecution.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Some of the informants nevertheless did enter the restricted areas, though none have been prosecuted for taking part in the violence.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
Bombshell report: Dozens of FBI informants cleared of inciting J6 Capitol riot
Niall Stanage and Amber Duke discuss a new report revealing there were no FBI agents present the the Capitol complex on Jan. 6, 2021.
—The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for informant
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 2 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share