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

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 The charity notified parents about its decision earlier this summer. — Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 The state department of health has been notified, and contact tracing is in progress. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The Civil Rights Department notified the employee in April of her right to sue the DMV. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 If live streaming is interrupted because of an unstable connection or technical issue, the parent will be notified, according to the outlet. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify

Verb

This list is informed by The Athletic’s newsroom — including David Ornstein — and their reporting in the last days of the window.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Any business, town or development group needs this data informing their decisions.

— Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of notify

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