notify

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 The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will release the man’s name after notifying his family. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2025 If a parent later withdraws permission, the app developer must be notified to disable access. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025 Israel's Ministry of Health's National Center of Forensic Medicine will identify the body, and then the family will be notified, Netanyahu's office said. Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2025 An electronic tracker in the vehicle allowed the fire department to track the engine on its 60-mile journey north, and officials notified the sheriff’s office of its location. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • Five weeks after her daughter’s drowning incident, Mara and their family received a letter from CPS informing them that their case had been closed after failing to prove neglectful supervision.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Drivers are advised to slow down, use caution, and carry winter emergency kits, while outdoor enthusiasts are being warned to prepare for rapidly changing and potentially dangerous weather conditions.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Springer advised his teammates simply to be themselves.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on notify

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