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 Approval requirements City staff originally recommended a streamlined approval process that required neighbors to be notified but gave the Planning Commission the ability to give the final stamp of approval instead of the City Council. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2026 The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the victim once family has been notified. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026 Current members are being notified by email a month before the new prices go into effect for them, Netflix said in a statement. Medora Lee, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026 And your phones notifies you every few months that an object nine washing machines wide is going to just narrowly skim past. Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • Clancy will be undergoing a forensic psychological evaluation later this week after Reddington informed the court of her intention to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at trial.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
  • So he was astonished when Megson informed him he was being released.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His taste in art was always less eccentric than his taste in flesh, and Barney has been well advised.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The late and legendary Freddie Bennett began as a young caddie and worked his way up to caddie master, looking for that ideal chemistry between club members or tournament competitors and the men who carried their golf bags and advised them on putting lines.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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