informer

noun

in·​form·​er in-ˈfȯr-mər 

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

Synonyms

• betrayer
• canary [slang]
• deep throat
• fink
• informant
• nark [British]
• rat
• rat fink
• snitch
• snitcher
• squealer
• stoolie
• stool pigeon
• talebearer
• tattler
• tattletale
• telltale
• whistle-blower

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

Given the increasingly absurd pretexts the state is using for criminal prosecution and the resounding success of informers of all stripes, the judicial crackdown will continue to worsen. —Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2024

Standing in his way are British spies, French informers and jealous colleagues. —Liza Foreman, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

Victims included officials and members of the military and their cronies, as well as people believed to be informers or military collaborators. —Grant Peck, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2023

The prison authorities also exercised tight control over every aspect of inmates’ lives, by relying on an extensive network of informers. —Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1504, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

informer

noun

in·​form·​er in-ˈfȯr-mər 

: someone who informs

especially : a person who informs against someone else

Legal Definition

informer

noun

in·​form·​er

: informant