1
as in memory
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered a happy couple with many fond remembrances of when they were dating in college

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2
as in reminder
something that serves to keep alive the memory of a person or event she gave her boyfriend on the eve of his military service one of her lockets as a remembrance of their abiding affection

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3

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How is the word remembrance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of remembrance are memory, recollection, and reminiscence. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

In what contexts can memory take the place of remembrance?

While in some cases nearly identical to remembrance, memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered.

gifted with a remarkable memory
that incident was now just a distant memory

When is recollection a more appropriate choice than remembrance?

The meanings of recollection and remembrance largely overlap; however, recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

after a moment's recollection he produced the name

Where would reminiscence be a reasonable alternative to remembrance?

The synonyms reminiscence and remembrance are sometimes interchangeable, but reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

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 remembrance Last weekend, the families of those who lost their children to fentanyl poisoning took to the nation’s capital for their annual day of remembrance. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025 Personal remembrance becomes interwoven with political fiction, historical fact, and mythological distortion in the flood of stories that customarily follows a war. Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025 Contestants transform into La Catrina, the skeletal figure that has become an enduring symbol of remembrance and Mexican identity. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025 Ashby wrote in a remembrance on her Facebook page. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for remembrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance
Noun
  • Time captive within the grand edifices of the past, parading on the stage of memory.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Left unaddressed, this can lead to cognitive decline, including lapses in memory, trouble concentrating, or dementia-like symptoms in severe cases.
    Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Whitmer said the plaza being named after Nick Gilbert is a reminder that the center of Detroit's revival has always been love for family and community and hope for a brighter future.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • At police District Two, where Corder worked, there’s a memorial to him that acts as a daily reminder for those officers.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Truly has been racing most of his life, almost 11 years by his recollection.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The one-off doc will present first-hand recollections of the Israel-Hamas war from Israel Defense Force (IDF) veterans and reservists who have served in the conflict.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Cheney and his daughter were the only Republicans who attended a memorial the following year at the Capitol.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Since his death, Hay has not remarried, but devoted her life to setting up scholarships and memorials in Burton’s name, including donating his diaries to Swansea University, per The Telegraph.
    Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remembrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remembrance. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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