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 Lemke pleaded guilty in April to two charges, failure to notify or delay notification of a death and destruction of evidence, as part of a plea deal. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026 Moore called federal prosecutors and immigration officials into his courtroom to find out why ICE failed to notify judges about moving detainees with pending habeas petitions out of the district over the past year without the court’s approval. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 On June 25, Netflix notified Haido that the drive had been stolen. Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 Shortly before midnight, a hospital social worker notified the family that boy had been found breathing when a medical examiner's office transporter arrived to collect his body, according to the reports. Jose R. Gonzalez, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • According to Shai Eisenman, founder and chief executive officer of Bubble, the pairings were informed by long-standing consumer requests.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Schulz responded that the agency only needed to inform Congress about the reorganization.
    Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Her doctor advised her to stop clinical hyperpigmentation treatments for her dark spots and uneven skin tone as some ingredients could be unsafe to use while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The vessel and crew were safe and authorities are investigating, UKMTO said, advising ships to transit with caution.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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