notify

Definition of notifynext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb notify differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of notify are acquaint, apprise, and inform. While all these words mean "to make one aware of something," notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action.

notified the witness when to appear

When can acquaint be used instead of notify?

Although the words acquaint and notify have much in common, acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with.

acquaint yourself with the keyboard

When might apprise be a better fit than notify?

In some situations, the words apprise and notify are roughly equivalent. However, apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance.

keep us apprised of the situation

When could inform be used to replace notify?

While in some cases nearly identical to notify, inform implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences.

informed us of the crisis

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of notify While at the scene, officers were notified that three additional shooting victims, one woman and two men, arrived at a hospital via a private vehicle. Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026 On April 29, the Justice Department’s National Security Division notified the FCC that the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector had begun its review of the Paramount petition seeking a waiver of foreign-ownership rules. Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 June 2026 In Maine, state law requires any company to notify the state attorney general’s office in the case of a data breach that impacts residents of the state within 30 days. Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026 Greer’s family was notified that he was being transported to the hospital on Wednesday, but the family said they weren’t allowed to see him until the sheriff’s office released him on a personal recognizance bond. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • But another four or five weeks of games can inform Weiss and Anthopoulos’ own answer.
    Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 16 June 2026
  • McGregor Scott, Williamson’s attorney, said he had not been informed of any other investigations involving his client.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Its drone warfare teams are now advising NATO nations (and regularly beating them in war game simulations).
    Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Authorities advised sensitive groups, including children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions, to limit prolonged outdoor activity as smoke levels increase.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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