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
Many fans recall coming to the noodle house with their families in their youth. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Williams recalled living with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, which prevented him from learning how to read music. Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
The impact of food recalls The FDA issued 26 food recall notices in August, and 94% of Americans say the frequency of recalls concerns them. Diane Brady, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 The recall was initiated after it was discovered by an analyst at TJX (the parent company of the retail stores) that the Chocolatey Eyeballs containing whey (milk) were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Maycen remembers her daughter running toward her, beaming with pride, after a pivotal regional doubles match that earned her the distinction.
    Lukas Weese, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • As longer, more complex passwords have become a necessity, remembering all those strings of numbers, letters, and special characters has become nearly impossible.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Barca saved money on Joao Cancelo after he and Al Hilal cancelled his contract, but he’ll hardly be paid buttons.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Holiday events, parades and fireworks celebrations were canceled across parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic because of the extreme heat, USA TODAY previously reported.
    Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Sonic Memoir evolved into a recollection of Cole’s life and a tribute to Hutchins.
    Tina Eves, SPIN, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The gambit proves little more than a cliché and sheds no further light on what these recollections offer the main story.
    Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Labor Day Headphones Deals Apple’s AirPods Max 2 deliver an exceptional combination of high-fidelity acoustics and pro-grade active noise cancellation.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But that bear case has yet to play out in any meaningful way, with Boeing reporting zero cancellations in August.
    Jeff Marks,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • To reach the quarterfinals in New York, Zheng had to accept her newfound station in tennis — not to abandon her confidence for the sake of humility, but to combine her natural self-belief with acceptance of her reality and a new perspective.
    Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Masson credited the town’s surveillance cameras with capturing the fleeing pair abandoning at least one of the paintings and the city’s police force with a quick response.
    News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Notably, electronics price inflation climbed to a fresh high last month on the back of global memory-chip shortages, Nam said.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • His movement, dribbling ability and raw talent definitely stuck in my memory.
    Amitai Winehouse, New York Times, 9 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
  • But for my money, few players bring a more impactful set of skills to a club scrapping to stay in the Premier League.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But Cargill, Michin and B-Fab have continuously been scrapping with Flair, Bliss and Paxley with Cargill and Flair seemingly fighting for the top contender spot to Chelsea Green’s women’s title.
    Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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