inform

verb

in·form | \ in-ˈfȯrm

informed; informing; informs

Definition of inform

transitive verb

1 : to communicate knowledge to inform a prisoner of his rights

2a : 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

4 obsolete : guide, direct

5 obsolete : to make known

intransitive verb

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

Other Words from inform Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about inform

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Synonyms for inform

Synonyms

fink, grass (on) [British slang], rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on) [British], squeak, squeal, talk, tell (on)

Choose the Right Synonym for inform

inform, acquaint, apprise, notify mean to make one aware of something. inform implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences. informed us of the crisis acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with. acquaint yourself with the keyboard apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance. keep us apprised of the situation notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action. notified the witness when to appear

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

The talks are launching as the industry has enjoyed a remarkable stretch of robust sales and profits, but the expectation of an economic downturn by many is also something that will inform the negotiations. — Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "GM, FCA formally launch UAW contract talks," 16 July 2019 Music Review Right around the turn of the century, Aimee Mann struck on two ideas in the course of assembling her Acoustic Vaudeville shows with her husband, singer-songwriter Michael Penn, that inform her concerts to this very day. — Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, "Aimee Mann’s voice does the talking in Beverly show," 13 July 2019 The committee also could be tasked with establishing facility standards that could inform replacement or repair priorities or future facility task force work. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Enrollment surge could lead the Elmbrook School District to reopen Hillside Elementary, consider a referendum," 10 July 2019 There are bots created by artists that find interesting patterns in society; bots that inform us about history; bots that ask searching questions about the relationship between people and machines by pretending to be human. — Noam Cohen, The New Yorker, "Will California’s New Bot Law Strengthen Democracy?," 2 July 2019 Texas Tribune mission statement The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. — Alex Samuels, Houston Chronicle, "National media outlets told the story of David Briscoe surviving the Santa Fe shooting. He wasn’t th," 1 July 2019 That deal meant going big when the rest of the league was going small, betting on another impending free agent and doubling down on the all-in strategy that informed the entire season. — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, "We The Champs: Kawhi, Masai and the Legend of the 2019 Raptors," 14 June 2019 In The Come Up, Teen Vogue talks to up-and-coming talent about their journey to fame and the influences that have informed their extraordinary work. — Josh Aronson, Teen Vogue, "Beetlejuice: The Musical," 30 May 2019 The thing that informs all of my work is the Black experience. — Amira Rasool, Glamour, "What It Means to Be a Black Fashion Designer," 1 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inform.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.