NOTIFY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

notify

verb

Definition of notify next

as in to inform

to tell (someone) officially about something She notified the police about the accident. Customers were notified of the changes in the company. I was notified that I did not get the job.

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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 Thursday, police were notified that the man was pronounced dead by hospital staff. —

Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026 Officials will release the swimmer's name once his next of kin have been notified. —

Nick Lentz, CBS News, 15 May 2026 Insurers are permitted to do this without notifying patients, and new suppliers can create tablets with a different code and color. —

Barbara Wolf, STAT, 15 May 2026 Additionally, class members weren’t notified of the investigation. —

Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify

Verb

Instead, inform the bank of your plans now to avoid having your funds get locked into a less profitable account.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 May 2026
We were informed pretty quickly when each issue occurred.

— Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 19 May 2026

Definition of inform

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notifies

notify

notifying

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“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of notify

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