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 Krispy Kreme breach affects over 160,000 people Last week, Krispy Kreme began notifying 161,676 people affected by a data breach through an unauthorized third party last November. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025 After the situation, parents must be notified and schools must conduct weekly and monthly reviews of seclusion incidents. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 26 June 2025 But Iran was careful in retaliating, even notifying the U.S. in advance. Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 25 June 2025 The 47-year-old Dawson’s Creek actor filed a request for an emergency custody order modification, accusing Turner-Smith of enrolling Juno in a school without notifying him. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • Officials pledged to inform the public through official channels as the situation evolves.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • There is no need to inform domains about their sluggish new competition.
    Michael Gargiulo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The final decision about Iran's response will be made by Khamenei; the parliament's vote to close the strait merely advises him of the option to pursue.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • Brown’s 1962 how-to guide for modern single women to dominate both in relationships and at the office was radical in one way, advising women to cherish being single rather than seeing it as a sign of their deficiency.
    Alice Bolin June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on notify

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