inform

verb

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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

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 Detectives who interrogated Todt after he was arrested at the hospital did not properly inform him of his rights before their first interview, said Assistant Public Defender Peter Schmer in an Aug. 31 motion. — Monivette Cordeiro, courant.com, 10 Sep. 2021 Detectives who interrogated Todt after he was arrested at the hospital did not properly inform him of his rights before their first interview, said Assistant Public Defender Peter Schmer in an Aug. 31 motion. — Monivette Cordeiro, orlandosentinel.com, 10 Sep. 2021 Before announcing the withdrawal, Biden placed phone calls to Bush and Obama to inform them of his decision. — Kevin Liptak And Jeff Zeleny, CNN, 10 Sep. 2021 But victims’ families say they are frustrated that police or prosecutors didn’t promptly inform them about the status of the cases against Billy Chemirmir. — Dallas News, 19 Aug. 2021 In 2017, the company said, an older man living in temporary housing in Otsuchi, a town in northern Japan, after the devastating 2011 earthquake, wrote Mr. Kaji to inform him that his puzzles were too difficult. — New York Times, 17 Aug. 2021 In 2019, a Prince George’s County woman was awarded $205 million after a jury agreed that her child’s brain injury and cerebral palsy were caused after doctors did not properly inform her of the options for delivering the child. — Phil Davis, baltimoresun.com, 17 Aug. 2021 State assessment data also helps shape policy developed by lawmakers, and could inform them where to send extra funding in future school years. — Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 31 Aug. 2021 Pompey reported that Simmons met with Sixers brass, which includes owner Josh Harris, president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, general manager Elton Brand, and head coach Doc Rivers, last week in Los Angeles to inform them of his plans. — oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2021

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.