informer

noun

in·​form·​er in-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce informer (audio)
Synonyms of informernext
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 of informer

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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
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.
The court can instruct the jury to view with caution the testimony of, say, an informer or a drug addict. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 10 June 2025 And so every regime invests in having student informers. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026 One of State Security’s main goals, as well as a central source of its strength, is turning civilians into informers. — Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026 Security services also rely on informers to tell them who might be using Starlink, and search internet and social media traffic for signs it has been used. — David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for informer

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1504, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of informer was circa 1504

Rhymes for informer

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Browse Nearby Words

informed opinion
informer
informidable
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Cite this Entry

“Informer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/informer. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

informer

noun
in·​form·​er in-ˈfȯr-mər How to pronounce informer (audio)
: someone who informs
especially : a person who informs against someone else

Legal Definition

informer

noun
in·​form·​er
: informant

More from Merriam-Webster on informer

Nglish: Translation of informer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about informer

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