inform

verb

in-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce inform (audio)
Definition of informnext
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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 inform The same sort of relaxed approach also informs Mascis’ gear choices. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026 The Legislature had not been informed of any Hope Florida Foundation payment. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 The mill tapped into the diverse markets to hear different interpretations of what denim needs to become and used those insights to inform its new collection. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Student-athletes will have the opportunity to share their experiences through a climate survey to help inform this work. — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inform
  1. talk
  2. tell
  3. advise
  4. instruct
Verb
  • Publicly, Pacific Fusion talks mostly about its future ability to supply electricity, a promise the fusion industry has made for years.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The 6,200-square-foot venue spans two levels and features a 700-square-foot dry sauna, an infrared sauna and a 46-degree cold plunge, with dim communal areas built in to encourage guests to linger and talk.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • Some economists, including researchers at the Minneapolis Fed, argue the data don’t tell such a clean story.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company agrees with skeptics like the NFL that justices must eventually opine on whether states and tribes should regulate its sports event contracts as sports bets, a Supreme Court litigator working with Kalshi told Semafor.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Engineering textbooks advise practitioners to limit any settlement to around 1 to 3 inches, depending on the soil.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In a social media post, police advised people nearby to stay alert, be aware of their surroundings and keep children and pets close.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of advise
Verb
  • Defense lawyer Lawrence Obonyo, who represents Mackenzie and almost all of the others convicted, said he had been instructed to appeal.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Claude had been instructed never to log in, create accounts, enter personal information, make purchases or submit anything destructive.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of instruct

Browse Nearby Words

in force
inform
inform (against)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inform. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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