informer

noun

in·​form·​er in-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce informer (audio)
1
: one that imparts knowledge or news
2
: one that informs against another
specifically : one who makes a practice especially for a financial reward of informing against others for violations of penal laws

Examples of informer in a Sentence

the informer who told the police about that conspiracy has angered a lot of dangerous people
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Singh says that the Kashmir policy of India's Hindu nationalist government has alienated residents of Kashmir, and cost the Indian army its vital network of local informers. Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025 The book’s cast of characters is immense, including spies and informers, dubious bankers, Mafiosos, terrorists, radical priests who support the poor, and conservatives who back right-wing dictators. Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 The Ukrainian soldiers began to see Russian civilians as a hindrance — or worse, as potential informers who could give away their positions. Ekaterina Bodyagina Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 The arrests were part of wide-ranging Establishment attacks on the new generation of pop stars in Britain at the time, done through connivance with informers and a hostile conservative media. Bill Wyman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for informer

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1504, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of informer was circa 1504

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Informer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informer. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

informer

noun
in·​form·​er in-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce informer (audio)
: someone who informs
especially : a person who informs against someone else

Legal Definition

informer

noun
in·​form·​er

More from Merriam-Webster on informer

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