What Is The Answer To Informer Crossword Clue?

2026-02-03 18:47:46
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4 Answers

Ulysses
Ulysses
Sharp Observer Analyst
A quick, practical way I approach 'informer' is to shortlist the most common fills and then let the crosses do the rest. My shortlist usually includes 'rat' (3), 'fink' (4), 'snitch' (6), 'informant' (8), and UK options 'grass' or 'nark'. If the clue feels like it could be a verb, I add 'sings' or 'tells' to the possibilities because setters sometimes use the action instead of the person.

If I'm stuck I scan nearby down and across entries for letters that make one of those words obvious. Puzzles that lean British or criminal-noir-style will nudge you toward 'nark' or 'stoolie', whereas straightforward American quick puzzles often prefer 'rat' or 'snitch'. I enjoy the little puzzle within the puzzle when that one crossing letter flips the whole thing, and it still gives me a tiny thrill.
2026-02-04 17:38:29
15
Owen
Owen
Frequent Answerer Mechanic
That tiny clue 'informer' is one of those little traps that makes me grin and groan at the same time.

My default fill for short crosswords is usually 'rat'—three letters, blunt, and used so often it's almost crossword shorthand. If the grid wants four letters, I lean toward 'fink' or 'tatt' (if it's playful), and for longer slots 'snitch' (6), 'informant' (8), or 'stoolie' (7) often fit. If the puzzle's from the UK, don't forget 'grass' or 'nark'—British setters love those. For cryptic puzzles the setter might be more sly: 'sings' could be clued by 'informer' (as in 'to sing' = to inform), so verb forms can appear rather than nouns.

Crosses are king. A lot of solvers panic at the clue but once a couple of crossing letters are in, the right fill jumps out. I like how this clue showcases regional vocabulary and setter style; it keeps every puzzle fresh and a little cheeky.
2026-02-06 00:48:58
20
Una
Una
Helpful Reader Worker
Late evening puzzles are my comfort, and the clue 'informer' is one I meet like an old rival. I cycle through synonyms in my head—'informant', 'snitch', 'rat', 'fink', 'grass', 'nark', 'stoolie'—and then I look at the letter pattern. Sometimes the clue isn't literal at all; setters might use 'informer' to indicate someone who 'sings' or 'tells', so a verb fits where you'd expect a noun. Other times it's a phrase like 'stool pigeon', especially in thematic or stab-at-noir grids.

I also think about register and tone: is the puzzle formal, jokey, British, or American? That often decides between 'informant' and 'snitch' or 'grass' and 'rat'. For cryptic puzzles I watch for hidden words or charade parts—'in former' could hide a substring across words, for instance. I love that a single clue invites so many little detective moves; it keeps solving tactile and fun.
2026-02-06 01:36:07
3
Sawyer
Sawyer
Twist Chaser Receptionist
I usually tackle 'informer' by thinking about voice and tone in the grid first. If the enumeration is short, 'rat' or 'snitch' (if it's six) are the obvious American choices. For British-themed puzzles my brain instantly flashes 'grass' or 'nark'—those show up a surprising amount. Then there are the more colorful or old-fashioned fills like 'stool pigeon' or 'stoolie' and 'tattletale' for family-themed or themed puzzles where longer, casual phrases fit.

Cryptic clues throw another wrinkle in: 'informer' may actually point to a verb like 'sings' or 'tells' rather than a noun, and sometimes the surface reading hides a hidden word or an anagram. My workflow is: pencil in likely crossings, say the letters out loud, and the right word usually reveals itself. I find that approach less stressful than staring at the blank for ages, and it's oddly satisfying when the right fill snaps into place.
2026-02-09 23:57:35
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Related Questions

How does informer crossword clue appear in cryptic puzzles?

4 Answers2026-02-03 21:40:00
I love how the little word 'informer' can be a treasure chest for cryptic setters and solvers alike. In my puzzles, 'informer' will often be the straight definition at one end of the clue, pointing you to synonyms like RAT, SNOOP, NARK, GRASS, or TELL‑TALE. That simple reading is super common: a short double definition such as 'Rodent or betrayer (3)' gives RAT straightaway. But setters relish disguise: you'll see 'informer' clued by wordplay — hidden words, containers, anagrams and charades are all fair game. For example, a hidden indicator like 'in' can hide 'spy' inside a longer phrase, or a container indicator like 'holding' might put RAT inside another word. I also enjoy the British flavour — 'grass' or 'nark' appear frequently — and the setter might use slang or surface misdirection to steer you away. Spotting the definition (usually at an end) and then testing for hidden words, reversal indicators, or synonyms is my go-to approach; it turns a baffling clue into a satisfying little reveal. Feels like detective work every time, honestly.

Why is informer crossword clue sometimes 'stoolie'?

4 Answers2026-02-03 18:22:35
I love how crossword constructors sneak little slices of street slang into puzzles, and 'stoolie' is a perfect example of that playful vocabulary. At its simplest, 'stoolie' is just a colloquial, slightly cheeky synonym for an informer or snitch, and that makes it a handy fill when a puzzle needs a seven-letter person who rats someone out. Constructors like words that feel vivid and a touch old-school, and 'stoolie' has that smoky, noir flavor that lifts a dry grid. The backstory helps, too. The term comes from 'stool pigeon' — originally a decoy bird tied to a stool to lure other birds — and it evolved into meaning someone who lures the law to criminals or rats them out. Over time people shortened and softened it to 'stoolie,' which is exactly the kind of slang that crosses from crime novels and newspaper prose into crossword cluing. You'll see it clued directly as 'informer' or more colorfully as 'rat on the crew' in themed puzzles. For me, spotting 'stoolie' in a puzzle feels like a wink from the maker. It’s colloquial, evocative, and fits neatly when you need that specific shade of meaning — plus it sneaks in a little history and attitude, which I always appreciate.

Where does informer crossword clue commonly appear in British puzzles?

4 Answers2026-02-03 19:53:03
I get a kick out of spotting the little synonyms for 'informer' that pop up across British newspapers' cryptic pages. When I'm doing the weekend cryptic in a coffee shop, the clue 'informer' will usually be the straight definition part of a clue and the solver's brain immediately starts listing suspects: 'grass', 'rat', 'nark', 'fink', 'stoolie' and occasionally longer entries like 'supergrass'. Those feel very British in tone, and you'll see them across the usual broadsheets and mid-market papers with cryptic grids. Technically, 'informer' is most common in cryptic crosswords rather than quick definitions or themed variety puzzles. Setters rely on that simple one-word definition because it pairs well with all sorts of wordplay — hidden words, charades and containers. For example, a setter might hide a synonym inside a phrase, or put together letter chunks that look innocent on the surface. I love that mix of slang and craft: you learn both language color and setter tricks at once. It makes finding 'grass' or 'rat' feel like catching a tiny cultural wink from the puzzle-maker, and I always grin when I spot them.

Which synonyms solve informer crossword clue most often?

4 Answers2026-02-03 07:52:00
On my daily puzzle habit, I’ve noticed that setters love short, punchy synonyms for 'informer' because they fit tidy grids and are easy to clue. The three-letter classic is 'rat' — brutal, compact and utterly crossword-friendly. For four letters you'll often see 'narc' or 'fink'; both carry slightly different flavors (one cops-on-drugs, the other squeals generally), and clue writers exploit that nuance. When the grid allows six or seven letters, 'snitch' and 'squealer' pop up; they're more conversational and let setters play with surface readings. Across different outlets there's regional variety: British puzzles like 'grass' or 'stoolie' more than US papers, and cryptic setters might use 'mole' for an undercover informer. I always scan crossings for a vowel pattern first — a lot of these synonyms have very predictable letter shapes — and that little trick saves me from getting tangled by lookalike options. It’s oddly satisfying to see how a single clue can lead to 'rat', 'narc', 'fink' or 'snitch' depending on tone and enumeration — it keeps me hooked and smiling at the setter’s cheeky choices.

What letter pattern fits informer crossword clue with 6 letters?

4 Answers2026-02-03 13:35:52
Bright thought: if the crossword wants a six-letter word for an informer, my go-to is 'SNITCH'. I like this one because it's common in both American and casual British puzzles and fits a straightforward 6-letter slot. If the pattern you have has known letters, try to line them up with S-N-I-T-C-H. For example, ?N?T?H would pretty much lock it in as 'SNITCH'. That said, crosswords can be cheeky with register. If the clue feels more slangy or prison-themed, 'CANARY' can pop up (prison slang for someone who sings to the authorities). If the clue leans formal, though, the puzzle might avoid slang and use a different construction. I usually check intersecting letters and whether the clue is jokey or literal — that normally confirms it for me. Feels satisfying when the crosses click into place, and 'SNITCH' often provides that snap.

What is the protagonist crossword clue answer?

3 Answers2025-11-04 02:07:46
Crossword grids have been my Saturday ritual for years, and when that little clue asks for 'protagonist' I almost always eyeball the crossings and think 'HERO' first. H-E-R-O is the classic, portable fill: short, familiar, fits a ton of themes, and pops up in both easy and Sunday-sized puzzles. But I also watch for context. A capitalized clue or one referencing a specific work will steer me toward a proper name — for example, 'Protagonist in 'Hamlet'' would be 'HAMLET' — while a gendered clue might call for 'HEROINE'. If the grid wants a three-letter fill, 'MC' (short for main character) shows up occasionally, and 'LEAD' or 'STAR' are common four-letter alternatives depending on whether the puzzle emphasizes acting or narrative. I like to parse the clue voice: cryptic or clever clues might hint at 'antihero' or 'tragic hero' which are longer fills and change letter patterns. My practical tip: pencil in HERO as a starting point, then let crossings prove or disprove it — that little thrill when H-E-R-O slots into place still makes me smile.

What are the best TV shows featuring informers?

4 Answers2026-04-05 04:18:15
One of my all-time favorites has to be 'The Wire'. It's not just about informers, but the way it delves into the gritty reality of Baltimore's drug scene through multiple perspectives—cops, dealers, and yes, informers—is unmatched. The character of Bubbles, a street-level informant, is heartbreakingly real. His arc shows the human cost of that life in a way most shows gloss over. Then there's 'The Shield', which twists the informer trope on its head with Detective Lemansky. The tension between loyalty and survival in that show is brutal. And let's not forget 'Breaking Bad'—Saul Goodman’s 'disappearer' guy is basically a professional informer cleaner, which adds this darkly comedic layer to the whole thing.
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