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 Many of us have watched the debate about links between social media use and adolescent mental health run for more than a decade without consensus, thanks in part to the lack of necessary measurement infrastructure to inform policymakers. — Ned Cooper, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026 During that period and beyond, Hawthorne kept a series of notebooks, which scholars see as an important primary source for understanding the ideas and descriptions that informed his early writings and later novels. — Robert S. Levine, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 And no doubt that sequence continues to inform the tiresome topic more than a year later. — Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026 Hormonal health history should continue to inform cardiovascular care. — Sadiya S. Khan, Time, 26 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
  • Lamm told TechCrunch that conventional breeding can produce dogs with poor eyesight or genetic predispositions to cancer.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Beirut City Pop, the latest compilation by archival label Habibi Funk, tells the story of the artists who dared to imagine a life beyond war.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Solomon Rivera went from a job advising Mayor Karen Bass to running an outside campaign committee supporting her reelection months later, causing some experts to question whether the committee is independent.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Jokilehto advised that invitations should list the names of the people in the household that are invited.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of advise
Verb
  • To counter these scams, Apple instructed its retail store employees to check every return package and ensure all box components, including the iPhone, are returned in good condition.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Lauren Jones, a photographer from Savannah, Georgia, told Glamour that after acne-like rashes appeared on her cheeks, her esthetician instructed her to wash only with cold water and her hands for four weeks.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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