Synonyms

whistleblower

American

[wis-uhl-bloh-er, hwis-] / ˈwɪs əlˌbloʊ ər, ˈʰwɪs- /

Sometimes whistle blower or whistle-blower

noun

a person who informs on another or makes public disclosure of corruption, wrongdoing, problems, or secret information, especially within an organization.

Other Word Forms

whistle-blowing noun
whistleblowing noun

Etymology

Origin of whistleblower

First recorded in 1965–70; whistle ( def. ) + blower ( def. )

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 whistleblower told Congress that the agency’s recruits are never failed on practical exams.

From The Wall Street Journal

The whistleblower alleged that same team was delayed in responding to a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island over Patel's guidance and placing a jet on hold.

From BBC

Schwank is one of two whistleblowers who made a confidential disclosure to Blumenthal’s office last month regarding an ICE policy allowing agents to enter people’s homes without a judicial warrant.

From Los Angeles Times

But the BBC has seen documentary evidence of the whistleblowers' closeness to this area at the time.

From BBC

Tipping reported the allegation to the department, which in effect made him a whistleblower and entitled him to certain protections, Gage argued.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023