RECALL Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

recall 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkȯl

Definition of recall

as in to remember

to bring back to mind I don't recall meeting you before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cancel

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) I'll recall my purchase order if the company refuses to guarantee that it'll arrive before Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recall

2 of 2

noun

ri-ˈkȯl

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

as in cancellation

the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to we can't get a refund on the plane tickets, so the trip is beyond recall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Shoppers in North Carolina have faced a wave of food and consumer product recalls across September and October. — Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026 In Making It So, Stewart reflected on his complicated relationship with Daniel and Sophie while recalling the death of his brother Trevor in 2022. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026

Noun

But by November, he had been removed from office in a recall election. — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 No illnesses or injuries related to the recall have been reported so far, officials said. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall

Verb

For Hernandez, the altar is a chance to grieve, remember and find strength in one another.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Others remembered LePage’s governorship in a positive light and planned to vote for him this fall.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of remember

Verb

Unlikely influencers, from foodies to mothers to retirees, are weighing in on Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on the assets of the state’s roughly 200 billionaires and on other ballot measures created to cancel it.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
The international governing body for soccer was allowed to cancel its extra reservations — up to 5,000 rooms per night — 120 days before arrival.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

In one of the film’s pivotal sequences, Fielder stages a reenactment, based on his recollections, of a meeting with Evans, Holmes, Oppenheim and two A24 executives.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
The corresponding figures for 2025 were 23 percent and 21 percent, based on respondents’ recollections rather than a separate survey conducted last year.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of recollection

Noun

Before buying or booking anything, make sure to keep final approval, set spending limits and check a merchant’s cancellation and return policies.

— Marty Swant, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
That evening, however, the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris led to the cancellation of his address.

— Léo Keler, The Dial, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancellation

Verb

But big pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned the quest for new antibiotics, because the research and development needed to discover them is time-consuming and expensive.

— Zoë Schiffer, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
They are joined by other Democrats who have spent years trying to push the party to abandon its more cautious approach to governing, and could now get their chance.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of abandon

Noun

The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
However, the market's primary focus right now is not the magnitude of current profits, but rather how much longer the memory semiconductor supercycle can sustain itself.

— , CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of memory

Noun

Dispute over retroactive repeal The challenge also centers on the General Assembly’s subsequent repeal of the posting requirement.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
A number of women explain potential solutions to the problems outlined in the film, like the repeal of Section 230 or social media companies reporting to a nonpartisan regulator.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

Savings Healey scrapped plans to lower the cash ISA allowance to £12,000.

— Marc Shoffman, TheWeek, 30 Oct. 2026
Those plans were scrapped as the president initially opted to hold a series of telerallies for Republican candidates in close races across the country.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of scrap

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Style

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of recall

verb

noun

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Synonyms of recall

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Articles Related to recall

'Recollect' vs. 'Remember' vs. 'Recall'

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