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
Cave In guitarist Adam McGrath recalls being approached by a parade of managers, lawyers and other industry figures, some legitimate and others less so. Spin Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026 The pilot on one of those missions, flown during the frigid Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in late 1950, recalled the action in a 2000 essay for the US Naval Institute’s Naval History magazine. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
Other So Delicious frozen desserts and products are not impacted by the recall, the company said on its website. Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 Intercon Chemical Co initiated a Class II recall of six hand soaps that may be contaminated with bacteria, some of which causes severe complications. Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • An omission requires the clinician to remember exactly what was said and then notice what is missing from the note.
    Pat Williams, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Just about every player who played for the Canucks last season, and remember Vancouver finished in 32nd place in the NHL by 14 points, would’ve thoroughly dominated in that sort of environment.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some earlier assassins expected it of themselves, canceling plots that would have killed bystanders.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The show has been canceled due to the field conditions at 1846 Farms being too muddy.
    Mike Darnay, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • His recollections often take the form of dialogues in which interlocutors meekly acknowledge his overwhelming rhetorical advantage.
    Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Those who were born may not be old enough to have the vivid recollections of an older generation.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Trump repeatedly called for the cancellation of Colbert‘s late-night show and of the host’s fellow nominee Jimmy Kimmel, calling them untalented and low-rated.
    Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In his statement on social media, Macklemore said that last week, Kraft called Sheeran with directions to either drop him or face venue cancelations.
    Matt Moret, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Tyler told her the procession put a smile on everyone’s face, particularly when the grandmothers abandoned the usual petal-tossing technique and began throwing flowers at the guests instead.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The trade forced the UK to abandon its efforts to prop up the currency – and netted Soros more than a billion dollars.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The poetics of self-perception, memory, time, surface, depth, flatness, dimension, boundaries.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But images of France's hottest summer remain etched in memories — and in the artwork of illustrator Marina Antonova.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Notably, the lawsuit also asks that the repeal be declared unlawful.
    Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Is she entitled to additional spousal benefits because of the repeal of GPO?
    Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • At CinemaCon in April, Paramount announced that a sequel was finally in active development after multiple attempts to get another movie off the ground, including a version from Pitt’s frequent collaborator David Fincher, which was scrapped in 2019.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this week, Cregger defended his decision to scrap the games’ legacy characters.
    Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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