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 Cole said that police were notified by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday that the passenger had died from her injuries. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 The defendants — Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing America — were notified in writing of the infringement in August, the lawsuit says. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 The State Department notified the family of Reggie’s death, but did not provide a cause of death, Bernice said. — Deborah Day, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 But social services officials also are asking anyone previously notified to reach out immediately to any of the nine nonprofit Community Action Agencies helping with distribution. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • At the opening, Lafayette 148 NorthPark will feature its fall 2026 collection, including exclusive leather colorways created for Dallas, precise tailoring and signature white shirts informed by the archives and three decades of craftsmanship.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Livia’s unease informs her skepticism of politics; in linking the two, Kingsolver conflates class and culture, using the former as an excuse for what really just seems to be Livia’s constitutional conservatism.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • However, a letter Lowen uncovers later claims the manuscript was purely fictional and a writing exercise she was advised to do by her publisher.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Forge has brought in Head of Gaming & Interactive Experiences Léonidas Vesperini and former Lionsgate SVP Marc Lorber is advising the company, which launched over the summer.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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