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 Instead, the school should notify parents, and the child should keep attending school as they are being treated. — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Lamont is required to notify the legislature leaders, who have a veto that never has been used. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026 Hospital staff notified police, and officers responded to the hospital to talk with the injured person. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 OpenAI took months to discover the incident and notify the Australian agencies affected — that’s unacceptable by my standard. — Rumman Chowdhury, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • His archival sketches of solitaire diamond rings also informed the design.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The facility lacks a verifiable method that informs food employees of their responsibility to report their health status in regards to illnesses that can spread through food.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Inside, Kaylee is eager to prove herself by really learning laundry and nailing it; Fraser advises her to come up with a system and stick to it.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In recent history, the Justice Department's practice has been to advise prosecutors not to take any overt investigative steps against members of Congress or candidates within 60 days of an election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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