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Synonyms

intelligencer

American  
[in-tel-i-juhn-ser] / ɪnˈtɛl ɪ dʒən sər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that conveys information.

  2. an informer; spy.


intelligencer British  
/ ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənsə /

noun

  1. archaic an informant or spy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of intelligencer

First recorded in 1570–80; intelligence + -er 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The former minister told Aluko she had already spoken about his "general behaviour, acquisition of assets, etc, asking you to be careful because intelligencer will start following you".

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Marlowe, we think, worked as a secret agent or "intelligencer" in the proto-secret service that Francis Walsingham set up for Elizabeth I, and in all likelihood conducted espionage abroad.

From The Guardian • Oct. 15, 2010

Shakespeare speaks of Richard as "hell's black intelligencer," "that bottled spider, this poisonous bunch-back'd toad."

From Time Magazine Archive

He had bene a cheefe sticler in ye former faction among ye perticulers, and an intelligencer to those in England.

From Bradford's History of 'Plimoth Plantation' From the Original Manuscript. With a Report of the Proceedings Incident to the Return of the Manuscript to Massachusetts by Bradford, William

Mr. Lovelace communicated to me this morning early, from his intelligencer, the news of my brother's scheme.

From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 3 by Richardson, Samuel