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 The person who died will be identified by the medical examiner’s office once next of kin have been notified. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026 Staff say the theft forced them to reshuffle routes, delay pickups and scramble to notify parents – throwing off entire school days. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 His name is being withheld until his family is notified, the sheriff said. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026 Police said the man, who was described as being of Somali descent, will not be identified until his family has been notified. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify
Verb
  • Its founding principles—informed by an environmentally-conscious ethos and values which ‘protect the islands, support local communities, and do business in a…fair and future-focused way,’ says Dixon—mirrored those at Nikoi, and still hold strong today.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • These experiences eventually informed the vision behind The Tagline Group.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This was, after all, the woman who had advised me not to hold her hand on the way to fifth grade because doing so would only increase my social isolation.
    Lena Dunham, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • A week after the crash, police are advising anyone drinking to either call a friend or use a rideshare to get home safely.
    Heath Kalb, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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