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
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
Merlino came out on top after a hitman allegedly hired by Stanfa, spurned by Stanfa's refusal to pay him, became an informant for the FBI, per CBS News.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Though Cory lets the info slip to Celine as a bargaining chip, another informant spills the beans.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
The reasons for the feud are somewhat opaque, but the Kinahans apparently suspected that Gary Hutch was an informant for the Spanish police.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Grasso tries to use his informant status to get Lizzie out of harm’s way.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 13 Oct. 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.
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Though Cory lets the info slip to Celine as a bargaining chip, another informant spills the beans.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
The reasons for the feud are somewhat opaque, but the Kinahans apparently suspected that Gary Hutch was an informant for the Spanish police.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Grasso tries to use his informant status to get Lizzie out of harm’s way.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 30 Oct. 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