recall 1 of 2

recall

2 of 2

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
The value of experience is less about recalling the right answer and more about knowing what to ask next. Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025 Eyewitnesses recalled seeing numerous victims left trapped inside one of the burning vehicles, according to Diario de Yucatán. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
Epoca wants consumers to unplug the fridge and register for the recall online on Epoca’s recall page. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025 There were three major recalls between the end of August and the start of September. Jenna Anderson, Health, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Dockery remembers Smith’s wit and sardonic humor on set—and her own Dowagerisms—fondly.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, there’s a whole lot from shortly before the accident that Daniel doesn’t remember; their walk through the old church, for example.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He's witnessed countless episodes of passengers wearing noise-canceling headphones and earbuds walking through airport terminals, oblivious to their surroundings and putting themselves and others in danger.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • That proposal was canceled after bipartisan opposition in the Senate.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Their connection was intense, in Cheryl’s recollection.
    Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
  • As with many things in Moore’s young career, her big moment happened quickly, blurring her recollection of some of the details.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These factors should never be a cause to abandon principles, but this is exactly what is occurring.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This would come as Carr also plans on abandoning an effort to raise the agency's benchmark for high-speed internet from 100Mbps to 1Gbps.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Pliops was showcasing its XDP LightingAI at the Summit, a GenAI native memory stack to power interfence and retrieval workloads for hyperscale and enterprise applications.
    Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sleep is also essential for memory consolidation, emotional regulation and overall brain recovery, Salas said.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While some travelers choose to fly on Thanksgiving Day for lower prices and crowds, most leave at least a day early to avoid the risk of cancellations or delays upending their holiday plans.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Noise Cancellation The AirPods Pro 3 have a new active noise cancellation (ANC) system that Apple says can block out twice as much outside noise as the AirPods Pro 2.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Costs ballooned from £33 billion to over £100 billion, and the northern section was scrapped entirely.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The club could have George Valera, Chase DeLauter, Nolan Jones, Noel and Angel Martínez scrapping for opportunities in the spring.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 did not immediately solve the industry's problems, as distillers needed years to age new whiskey.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Florida Republican lawmakers have been pushing for the repeal of a gun safety law passed after the Parkland massacre in 2018.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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