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
Trump’s remarks follow last month’s inspector general report from the Biden Justice Department, which detailed the FBI’s use of confidential informants and prompted questions about their roles in the Jan. 6 protest.
—
Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Jan. 2025
On one occasion, authorities say, the informant handed over to the FBI a plastic foam cup containing a granular substance that tested positive for drugs.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
The boldness of the plot was a dark reflection of India’s rising economic weight in the West, despite the farcical denouement: An American informant had unwittingly been hired as a hit man.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
The informant also reported that Spafford had voiced support for political assassinations and was stockpiling weapons and ammunition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for informant 
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Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Jan. 2025
On one occasion, authorities say, the informant handed over to the FBI a plastic foam cup containing a granular substance that tested positive for drugs.
—CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
The boldness of the plot was a dark reflection of India’s rising economic weight in the West, despite the farcical denouement: An American informant had unwittingly been hired as a hit man.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
The informant also reported that Spafford had voiced support for political assassinations and was stockpiling weapons and ammunition.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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 20 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
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