informant
Undercover intelligence provider
An informant is someone who provides information, especially to authorities.
The word often implies secrecy—police informants report on criminal activity from inside, sometimes in exchange for leniency or payment.
In research contexts, an informant is simply a source: The anthropologist interviewed local informants about village customs.
The term is neutral compared to the more pejorative *snitch* or *rat*.
Point of origin
- tipsterOne who shares predictions
- leakEscape through a breach
- insiderOne with confidential access
- anonymousOf unknown origin
background · off-the-record · confidential · exclusive · scoop · tip · contact · reliable
One who tells authorities
- ratRodent or informer
- squealerOne who betrays secrets
- narcUndercover drug officer
- finkContemptible informer
grass · canary · betrayer · turncoat · collaborator · accomplice · co-conspirator · underworld
One who uncovers hidden things
- insiderOne with confidential access
- leakerOne who discloses secrets
- truth-tellerOne who speaks accurately
- disclosureAct of revealing information
transparency · accountability · retaliation · protection · reporting · ethics · courage · reform
One who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- assetItem of value owned
- handlerOne who manages something
sleeper · infiltrator · covert · clandestine · espionage · counterintelligence · surveillance · reconnaissance
One who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- testifierOne who gives evidence
- corroboratorOne who confirms testimony
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
affidavit · statement · evidence · prosecution · immunity · protection · cooperating · subpoena
One who gives answers
- subjectMatter under discussion
- participantOne who takes part
- intervieweePerson being formally questioned
- contributorOne who provides something
native-speaker · consultant · fieldwork · ethnography · anthropology · linguistics · data · oral-history
source
Point of origin
anonymous · background · off-the-record · confidential · exclusive · scoop · tip · contact · reliable · corroboration
snitch
One who tells authorities
fink · grass · canary · betrayer · turncoat · collaborator · accomplice · co-conspirator · underworld · gang
exposer
One who uncovers hidden things
- insiderOne with confidential access
- leakerOne who discloses secrets
- truth-tellerOne who speaks accurately
disclosure · transparency · accountability · retaliation · protection · reporting · ethics · courage · reform · dissent
agent
One who acts independently
handler · sleeper · infiltrator · covert · clandestine · espionage · counterintelligence · surveillance · reconnaissance · debrief
witness
One who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- testifierOne who gives evidence
- corroboratorOne who confirms testimony
deposition · affidavit · statement · evidence · prosecution · immunity · protection · cooperating · subpoena · cross-examination
respondent
One who gives answers
- subjectMatter under discussion
- participantOne who takes part
- intervieweePerson being formally questioned
contributor · native-speaker · consultant · fieldwork · ethnography · anthropology · linguistics · data · oral-history · interview
- cop filmsBeverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon, Hot Fuzz, RoboCop, Dirty Harry
- police slangperp, collar, bust, APB, BOLO
- spy operationscovert ops, black ops, infiltration, exfiltration, deep cover
- crimerobbery, accomplice, alibi, burglary, conspiracy
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- FBIFBI, agent, special agent, bureau, FBI Academy
informantinterrogator
One who questions formally
investigator · inquirer · questioner · listener · recipient
informantloyalist
Faithful supporter of authority
protector · confidant · ally · faithful friend · ride-or-die
informantsuspect
Believe to be likely
target · accused · defendant · person of interest · perpetrator
- too much informationUnwanted personal disclosure
- personal informationIdentifying details about someone
- contact informationDetails for reaching someone
- for your information
- inside informationConfidential knowledge from sources
- information technologiesDigital data management systems
information, informative, informational, informants, informatics