Synonyms of inform

inform

verb

in-ˈfȯrm 

1

as in to talk

to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities

the police only caught the mastermind of the burglary because his disgruntled partner informed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• talk
• tell (on)
• betray
• grass (on)
• snitch
• sing
• squeak
• fink
• split (on)
• rat (on)
• squeal
• drop a dime (on)
• sell (out)
• turn in
• give away
• tattle
• tip (off)
• blab
• two-time
• cross
• double-cross
• backstab

2

as in to tell

to give information to

chose teaching as a career because it affords the opportunity to inform a whole generation of young minds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tell
• advise
• instruct
• educate
• apprise
• teach
• enlighten
• acquaint
• notify
• brief
• familiarize
• clue (in)
• alert
• hip
• wise (up)
• fill in
• clear
• catch up
• convince
• verse
• assure
• let someone know
• advertise
• reassure
• keep (someone) posted
• disclose (to)
• announce (to)
• certify
• lecture
• warrant
• school
• disabuse
• disillusion
• tutor
• undeceive
• disenchant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mislead
• misinform

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb inform differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of inform are acquaint, apprise, and notify. While all these words mean "to make one aware of something," inform implies the imparting of knowledge especially of facts or occurrences.

informed us of the crisis

When could acquaint be used to replace inform?

The meanings of acquaint and inform largely overlap; however, acquaint lays stress on introducing to or familiarizing with.

acquaint yourself with the keyboard

When can apprise be used instead of inform?

The words apprise and inform are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apprise implies communicating something of special interest or importance.

keep us apprised of the situation

Where would notify be a reasonable alternative to inform?

In some situations, the words notify and inform are roughly equivalent. However, notify implies sending notice of something requiring attention or demanding action.

notified the witness when to appear

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inform

Why Anja doesn’t just call Autumn’s dad, or inform the airline of the unaccompanied minor on an international flight, is anyone’s guess. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025

He’s published books on Orson Welles, Abbas Kiarostami, Erich von Stroheim, Jim Jarmusch, and many more, with his teeth-cutting days as an extra for Robert Bresson and a script consultant for Jacques Tati continuing to inform his often irreverent cinematic close-readings. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Jan. 2025

Netanyahu said his negotiating team informed him of the agreement. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025

The evolution of that early interest later informed his interest in the physics of flight and the significance of the curvature of a plane’s wings, both of which are key components in the case defending his accomplishments. —Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025