informed; informing; informs
1
: to communicate knowledge to
The prisoner was informed of his rights.
2
a
: to give character or essence to
the principles which inform modern teaching
b
: to be the characteristic quality of : animate
the compassion that informs her work
3
obsolete
: to give material form to
5
obsolete
: to make known
1
: to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority
informed on a member of his own gang
2
: to impart information or knowledge
Examples of inform in a Sentence
The book will entertain and inform you.
The arresting officer failed to inform the suspect of his rights.
He failed to inform the suspect that he had the right to remain silent.
We haven't yet been informed of her decision.
Frequent reports from the battlefield kept the general informed about how the attack was progressing.
The book will both entertain and inform.
His Catholic upbringing informs all his writing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Next to them, Pahlavi seemed dignified, well informed, and worldly.
—
Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
The chemistry between the cast needs time to settle, and the reaction on TikTok and Instagram will likely inform which sketches have legs (the Head Wound Harrys and David S Pumpkins, so to speak), and which end up in the writers’ room bin.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
The chemistry between the cast needs time to settle, and the reaction on TikTok and Instagram will likely inform which sketches have legs… and which end up in the writers’ room bin.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
After a series of conversations, Vox Media recently informed potential buyers that its podcast business is no longer for sale.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inform
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
The chemistry between the cast needs time to settle, and the reaction on TikTok and Instagram will likely inform which sketches have legs (the Head Wound Harrys and David S Pumpkins, so to speak), and which end up in the writers’ room bin.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026
The chemistry between the cast needs time to settle, and the reaction on TikTok and Instagram will likely inform which sketches have legs… and which end up in the writers’ room bin.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026
After a series of conversations, Vox Media recently informed potential buyers that its podcast business is no longer for sale.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inform
Cite this Entry
“Inform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inform. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inform
verb
in·form
in-ˈfȯ(ə)rm 
1
: to let a person know something : tell
2
: to give information so as to accuse or cause suspicion
inform against them to the police
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