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
This mystery woman has somehow negotiated the full Gangland informant-protection treatment.
—
Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
In one incident August a man and a woman who had travelled from Saut d’Eau to purchase food at the Désarmes market were killed by members of the Désarmes self-defense group after being accused of being informants for the Canaan gang.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025
To date, none of the criminal complaints filed in this case mention any anti-gay text messages, social media posts or comments made by the defendants, whose communications were being secretly monitored and taped by undercover informants and agents.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025
In 2020, the high court ruled that Muslim men who claimed their religious rights were violated for being placed on the government’s no-fly list after refusing to serve as FBI informants could sue the FBI agents for damages.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for informant
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show current usage.
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Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
In one incident August a man and a woman who had travelled from Saut d’Eau to purchase food at the Désarmes market were killed by members of the Désarmes self-defense group after being accused of being informants for the Canaan gang.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025
To date, none of the criminal complaints filed in this case mention any anti-gay text messages, social media posts or comments made by the defendants, whose communications were being secretly monitored and taped by undercover informants and agents.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025
In 2020, the high court ruled that Muslim men who claimed their religious rights were violated for being placed on the government’s no-fly list after refusing to serve as FBI informants could sue the FBI agents for damages.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 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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