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 Members of the city's Department of Human Services pinned notices to at least nine other tents in the area, notifying residents that the camps would be broken down and closed if not removed by the following morning. Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025 However, customers of the older savings account, the Capital One 360 savings account, allegedly weren't notified of the new and higher-earning account. Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2025 China Evergrande Group received a letter Aug. 8 from the city’s stock exchange notifying the firm of its decision to cancel the listing as trading had not resumed by Jul. 28. CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025 If an item is low in availability, the fulfillment agent could suggest alternatives and notify inventory teams. Charisma Glassman, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • During the conversation: • Lead with curiosity informed by intelligence, not information dumps.
    B.D. Dalton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • The population count also informs how the government allocates federal funding for programs and public services including healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • These services include research, analysis, advising, consulting, benchmarking, acquisition matchmaking and video and speaking sponsorships.
    Patrick Moorhead, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Local nonprofit Friends of Cibola NWR also advised boaters to avoid the area in a Facebook post.
    Stephanie Murray, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on notify

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