memory

1
as in recollection
the power or process of recalling what has been previously learned or experienced a photographic memory makes taking tests entirely too easy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in memorial
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered I have only the vaguest memory of the family vacation we took the year I turned three

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word memory distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of memory are recollection, remembrance, and reminiscence. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," 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 it sensible to use recollection instead of memory?

While the synonyms recollection and memory are close in meaning, recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

after a moment's recollection he produced the name

When is remembrance a more appropriate choice than memory?

The words remembrance and memory are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

When might reminiscence be a better fit than memory?

The words reminiscence and memory can be used in similar contexts, 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 memory Each can be equipped with up to 32GB of memory, while the 16-inch runs up to a 2TB SSD and the 14-inch up to 1TB. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025 Director Camilo Becerra, known for his focus on social and familial dysfunction, draws from his own adolescence and cultural memory to deliver a raw and reflective portrait of youth. Jamie Lang, Variety, 16 May 2025 Cannes has a tradition of engagement in the affairs of the day, and some still have vivid memories of the events of 1968. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 May 2025 Curating Elevated Moments That Turn The Mundane Into Something Special What stands out when speaking with the 818 team is the genuine intent to be a purveyor of special memories that will remain in consumers’ minds long after the moment has passed. Clara Ludmir, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for memory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for memory
recollection
Noun
  • The letters range from the prosaic to the profound: recollections of childhood softball games, news about David’s retirement, updates on their aging mother’s declining health.
    Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • After this, consolidation eventually stabilizes memory traces and stores them for future recollection in the long term.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Memory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/memory. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on memory

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!