recollect

verb (1)

rec·ol·lect | \ ˌre-kə-ˈlekt

recollected; recollecting; recollects

Definition of recollect

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to bring back to the level of conscious awareness : remember trying to recollect the name

2 : to remind (oneself) of something temporarily forgotten

intransitive verb

: to call something to mind

re-collect

verb (2)

re-col·lect | \ ˌrē-kə-ˈlekt

re-collected; re-collecting; re-collects

Definition of re-collect (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to collect again especially : rally, recover

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about recollect

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Choose the Right Synonym for recollect

Verb (1)

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind. remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled. remembers that day as though it were yesterday recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered. as near as I can recollect recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech. can't recall the words of the song remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity. that reminds me of a story reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone. old college friends like to reminisce

Examples of recollect in a Sentence

Verb (1)

I've been trying to recollect what happened. I don't recollect telling him anything, but maybe I did. She couldn't recollect who had mentioned his name in the first place. From what I recollect, they said four of them were coming.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

There was only every single ant’s explicit sting in the cache of what my flesh had recollected. — Justin Phillip Reed, The New Republic, "This Is Really Happening," 6 June 2019 The president spent more time reminding the crowd that McMaster had supported him early in 2016 than recollecting the governor’s achievements. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "In South Carolina rally, Trump targets Sanford, McCain and TV comedians," 27 June 2018 In one specific session of the conference, Feder recollected that the conversation focused on religious diversity. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "New meditation center opens at The Awty International School," 31 May 2018 After suffering the first seizure, a friend of Ross' walked up to him to find out what happened but Ross couldn't recollect what had just transpired as he was knocked unconscious. — Nerisha Penrose, Billboard, "Rick Ross Reflects on His Airplane Seizure Incident in TV One's 'Uncensored' Docuseries: Exclusive," 2 Mar. 2018 What's worth recollecting, both now and at the June 21 draft, is that the deal for Dragic was made when Chris Bosh had yet to learn of his blood clots and with the Heat still taking a long view with Dwyane Wade. — Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Winderman: Heat survive Part I of Dragic payment plan | Commentary," 14 Apr. 2018 Paul Theroux, award-winning author of more than 50 volumes of travel writing, fiction, essays, and children's literature, was the featured speaker, recollecting different travel memories surrounding reading. — Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle, "Inprint's Poets & Writers Ball brings in $400,000," 19 Feb. 2018 Saint Mary’s: The Gaels can recollect after their home loss knowing all of their goals for the season are still attainable. 3. — Molly Geary, SI.com, "Power Rankings: Michigan State Leads New-Look Top 25," 14 Feb. 2018 Lawyers from the Indiana Attorney General's office said any statute of limitations would only apply at earliest in 2015, when accusations first surfaced against both men — or last year when their office filed a civil lawsuit to recollect the money. — Meredith Colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "Lawyer: Statute of limitations should apply for ex-Munster school officials accused of receiving $850K in over-payments," 25 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recollect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.