Definition of recallnext
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
Is meaning a right, at all, to someone whose inheritance is a geopolitical incident that most Americans won’t recall? — Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2026 The actress wore sheer black tights with a textural, patterned finish and pointed-toe black pumps, along with metallic eye makeup that recalled Hannah’s character, Pris. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Nov. 2026
Noun
But the vehicle has been beset by quality problems and has faced numerous recalls over issues with its rearview camera, pedals and other components. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026 The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck was the subject of 11 voluntary recalls, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. — Michael Wayland,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 A small question could turn an ordinary errand into something worth remembering.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Community members in the Strasburg area are honoring Graham by illuminating their homes in blue, remembering a law enforcement officer who grew up in their backyards.
    — Jack Lowenstein, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • About 5% of flights for Wednesday were canceled at airports across Spain, according to the country's airport operator, AENA.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • In May 2025, HHS canceled a $766 million contract with Moderna to develop vaccines against pandemic influenza and bird flu.
    — Time, Time, 12 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Her Justice Department interview took place after publication, Gayles noted, and her lack of recollection did not establish that the reporters knowingly published falsehoods or seriously doubted their account.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Later in the morning, his office sent out a personal recollection of the labor leader’s impact on his life.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Those individuals experienced delays in getting to medical appointments, cancellation fees and other issues as a result, the suit said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In terms of travel insurance, the card offers baggage insurance, trip delay coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and rental car coverage.
    — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Surveillance video captured 14 kittens being abandoned and tossed into floodwaters in the parking lot of the Humane Society of Greater Miami, according to shelter leadership.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Even as the war has temporarily calmed down, United hasn’t entirely abandoned its hard-line objectives.
    — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Understanding their perspective can make the story richer without requiring you to surrender your own memory.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Heat triggers shape recovery The technology uses shape-memory polymers (SMPs), materials that can be programmed into a temporary shape and recover their original form when heated.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Currently, the repeal effort (which would also lead to the elimination of certain campaign-finance disclosure rules) looks set for defeat, though more than a quarter of votes are yet to be counted.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • On Tuesday, voters rejected Missouri lawmakers’ attempt to overturn that repeal.
    — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 4 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • According to FlightAware, Delta has canceled 11% of its Saturday flights nationwide, while JetBlue scrapped 40% of departures.
    — Chase Jordan Updated November 13, Charlotte Observer, 14 Nov. 2026
  • Demeglio ended up scrapping her whole trip as a result of the repeat delays.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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