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 Cole said that police were notified by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday that the passenger had died from her injuries. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 The defendants — Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Publishing and Kobalt Music Publishing America — were notified in writing of the infringement in August, the lawsuit says. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 The State Department notified the family of Reggie’s death, but did not provide a cause of death, Bernice said. — Deborah Day, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 But social services officials also are asking anyone previously notified to reach out immediately to any of the nine nonprofit Community Action Agencies helping with distribution. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notify

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notify

Verb

His archival sketches of solitaire diamond rings also informed the design.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The facility lacks a verifiable method that informs food employees of their responsibility to report their health status in regards to illnesses that can spread through food.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

Inside, Kaylee is eager to prove herself by really learning laundry and nailing it; Fraser advises her to come up with a system and stick to it.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
In recent history, the Justice Department's practice has been to advise prosecutors not to take any overt investigative steps against members of Congress or candidates within 60 days of an election.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of advise

Browse Nearby Words

notifies

notify

notifying

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“Notify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notify. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of notify

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