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
Jonathan’s former informant into Teddy’s operation, Roxana (Camila Morrone), has defected to Roper’s side, even going as far as to try and orchestrate Jonathan’s assassination.
—
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Leon asked during one meeting, after selling a baggie containing a white, powdery substance, if the informant had tried fentanyl powder before, according to court documents.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
He was accused of sending Snapchat messages to his brother and a friend who turned out to be a longtime government informant.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
White newspaper editors were routinely imprisoned or forced to become police informants.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
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.
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Leon asked during one meeting, after selling a baggie containing a white, powdery substance, if the informant had tried fentanyl powder before, according to court documents.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
He was accused of sending Snapchat messages to his brother and a friend who turned out to be a longtime government informant.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
White newspaper editors were routinely imprisoned or forced to become police informants.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for informant
Cite this Entry
“Informant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informant. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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
