informant

noun

in·for·mant | \ in-ˈfȯr-mənt

Definition of informant

: a person who gives information: such as

a : informer

b : one who supplies cultural or linguistic data in response to interrogation by an investigator

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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

Did Strzok or Page have any such role as to any informant used to investigate the Trump camp or Trump associates? — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, "Sen. Lindsey Graham presses DOJ on role of Strzok, Page in Russia probe," 28 June 2018 The unusual meeting came after Mr. Trump intervened on behalf of Representative Devin Nunes, Republican of California and the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, who was demanding information related to the informant. — Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, "Paul Ryan Dismisses Trump ‘Spy’ Charge as G.O.P. Shows Signs of Resistance," 6 June 2018 Playing a misguided parent to the teenage FBI informant and drug dealer who became the longest-serving non-violent juvenile convict in Michigan, MConaughey describes his character as a hard-luck story. — Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Watch: 'White Boy Rick' trailer puts Detroit, McConaughey in spotlight," 4 June 2018 According to Blake Arcuri, general counsel for the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, the 17-year-old was caught trying to give the package of contraband to an informant. — Laura Mcknight, NOLA.com, "Teen accused of trying to smuggle synthetic marijuana, tobacco into jail: OPSO," 1 June 2018 Late last month, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., issued a subpoena to the Justice Department requesting all documents related to the FBI informant. — Robert Costa, chicagotribune.com, "Who is Stefan A. Halper, the FBI source who assisted the Russia investigation?," 21 May 2018 In March, Cardenas reached out to the informant to see if the person wanted to buy meth. — Laurel Andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Girdwood man who sold meth to informant will spend 11 years in prison," 21 Apr. 2018 The motion also said Hardin never confessed to the jailhouse informant, who had offered perjured testimony against another inmate. — Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "23 years after first conviction, AG moves to drop murder charges falsely linked to satanic worship," 8 Feb. 2018 In another recent terrorism case, involving the Benghazi attack, millions of dollars were reportedly paid to informants. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "The Senators’ Criminal Referral of Dossier Author Steele," 8 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'informant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.