recall 1 of 2

recall

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noun

1
as in recollection
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered his recall of the events of that turbulent time is significantly different from the accounts of other eyewitnesses

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recall distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recall are recollect, remember, remind, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

In what contexts can recollect take the place of recall?

The words recollect and recall are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

When can remember be used instead of recall?

The meanings of remember and recall largely overlap; however, remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When is it sensible to use remind instead of recall?

Although the words remind and recall have much in common, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

When could reminisce be used to replace recall?

While in some cases nearly identical to recall, reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

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 recall
Verb
King recalls a former client who, early in their career, signed a contract heavily favoring the record label, leaving the band with only a small fraction of the earnings. Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025 Seki said the tone intentionally recalls the chaotic spirit of 1990s family movies while still appealing to a modern audience. Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Farley has been working to make the company more capital efficient, improve quality to reduce recall and warranty costs, and grow profit margins. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025 As of October 3, no injuries or incidents had been reported in relation to the recall. News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • The companies and funds that act with courage now will be remembered as bold and pioneering, versus as a group that clung to short-term safety.
    Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Stankonia collaborators remember Outkast feeling confident during recording sessions for their fourth studio album, which has been lauded for bringing the Dirty South hip-hop sensibility to such genres as funk, gospel and psychedelia.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • An upcoming Chris Brown concert, scheduled to take place in Memphis, Tennessee, has been cancelled two weeks ahead of showtime.
    John Beifuss, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Future Ruins, the inaugural film-music festival run by Oscar-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, has been canceled.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In her recollection now, Blunt doesn’t remember seeing a single light or a camera, as Safdie and the crew so carefully hid them.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But Louis’ letter contains a message that goes far beyond her recollection of the horrifying minutes during Sunday’s attack.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The floater that has been such a huge part of his game abandoned him.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Twenty years prior to the present day of the movie, Ray Stoker (Day-Lewis) abandoned his family to live off the grid in a hut in the woods after a scarring incident during the conflict, which pitted Catholics against Protestants within Northern Ireland, and union loyalists against republicans.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His tour has changed over the years, with different attendees adding their own stories and experiences, allowing Taylor to pull from the community's memories and knowledge of their own neighborhoods.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Shelby cherishes her relationship with Rachel and looks forward to making more special memories with her.
    Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some models also feature adaptive noise cancellation to adjust ANC levels and ambient modes to allow specific sounds through, which helps noise control across different environments.
    Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Chicago news media pointed out the United Center cancellation came amid an ongoing beef between NBA YoungBoy and local rapper Lil Durk.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While current power brokers haven’t scrapped movies over their content, yet, Hollywood has a recent history of companies obeying in advance by shelving projects until the tensions cool.
    Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Argentina also temporarily scrapped export taxes on grains to help stabilize the peso, but China didn’t waste any time.
    Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The repeal of clean energy tax credits also stands to hinder Kentucky's budding electric vehicle industry.
    Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
  • California’s stricter auto emissions For California, the consequences of the repeal are complicated.
    Chaewon Chung Updated September 25, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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