informant

noun

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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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About informant

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 An unnamed informant tipped off the FBI that Entrekin was the man dressed in the gladiator costume captured in photographs taken at the U.S. Capitol. — Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 6 May 2022 The duo sold drugs between May 1, 2020 through June 18, 2020 from Bella’s home on Pearl Road and met the informant at various locations, according to court records. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 6 May 2022 The chief justice even proposed conducting lie-detector tests to ferret out the informant. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2022 Valentin Broeksmit, an informant who worked with federal authorities investigating former President Trump’s relationship with the German financial giant Deutsche Bank, was found dead Monday on a high school campus in the El Sereno neighborhood. — Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2022 In Harris's case, Krieger said the Whitmer kidnap plot suspect could have used a different word to express his feelings about the informant. — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2022 Kerner later told an informant that Grill tried to rob him and when Grill turned around, Kerner allegedly shot at Grill, missing twice before hitting him. — Meredith Colias-pete, chicagotribune.com, 8 Apr. 2022 Separately, a lawyer for an informant said Steve Robeson would invoke his right to remain silent if called as a witness by the defense. — CBS News, 29 Mar. 2022 Fortenberry argued at trial that prosecutors knew that the congressman didn't know about the contribution, but directed an informant to feed him the information in a 10-minute call with the intention of trying to prosecute him. — Brian Melley, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2022 See More

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.