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 major exam had focused on Augustus for the past four years, but teachers didn’t realize the topic had changed — even though schools were notified about the upcoming switch in 2023 and the information was available publicly online, per the outlet. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025 After the Free Press asked Sheffield's campaign and City Council staff to comment on Kinloch's assertions, spokeswoman Brittni Brown notified a reporter that Sheffield cancelled her plans to knock on doors in Detroit neighborhoods Sunday afternoon. M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 2 Nov. 2025 Then one day before, communities might be notified that their power could be turned off as a precaution. Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025 The authorities will remove the remains and notify the next of kin. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • According to Philadelphia magazine, the dismissal took place via an email in which she was informed that she was being terminated for cause.
    News Desk, Artforum, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The same year, California also banned the use of simulated fire in active shooter drills and required that parents be informed that a drill is taking place.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • To avoid this issue, Wang advises simply following the product labels and dosage information while also maintaining a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for your machine.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on notify

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