Synonyms of canary

canary

noun

kə-ˈner-ē 

slang

as in informant

a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing

a canary who was singing and giving up the names of some of the city's most notorious drug lords

Synonyms & Similar Words

• informant
• informer
• rat
• reporter
• stoolie
• tattler
• snitch
• betrayer
• squealer
• tattletale
• stool pigeon
• deep throat
• snitcher
• fink
• nark
• telltale
• spy
• rat fink
• talebearer
• notifier
• snoop
• gossiper
• blabbermouth
• tipster
• snooper
• whistleblower
• discloser
• leaker
• gossip
• blabber
• exposer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of canary

At Michigan and elsewhere, losing one of college basketball’s brightest minds was viewed as another canary in the increasingly toxic coal mine of college sports. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Restaurants As The Canary The restaurant industry is a useful canary for any business watching this dynamic. — Michael Lukianoff, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

The Edge and Adam Clayton both release canaries into the air in slow motion. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 26 June 2026

A little different from the regular radiant thanks to its rich canary tone, this three-stone jewelry piece absolutely makes a statement. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 May 2026