notify

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

Examples 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 Mangione, 26, was captured on Monday, Dec. 9 at an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds after an employee notified police, authorities confirmed to PEOPLE. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024 The new law requires hospitals to notify county government 120 days before closing a labor and delivery or psychiatric unit, instead of 90 days. Kate Murphy, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024 The jobs are not passive activities, as an in-game phone will notify you of new opportunities. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 The medical examiner did not release the man's name because the office was working to notify his family. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for notify 

Thesaurus Entries Near notify

Cite this Entry

“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on notify

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