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

Measles is the canary in the coal mine for vaccination and public health, and at this moment, the canary is singing a doleful tune. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

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