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
Tina, 71, recalled Beyoncé, 43, and groupmates Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin going to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. in 2000 for a show. Jack Irvin, People.com, 2 May 2025 Lorne Michaels biographer Susan Morrison is recalling the ways in which the Saturday Night Live boss tried to help Chris Farley kick his drug addiction before the beloved comedian died of a cocaine and heroine overdose in 1997. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
At the time of the crash, Airbus had already developed the device but had not mandated its installation, as this would have required a costly recall. Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025 There are no lot codes or unique identifiers listed in the recall notice. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Tina Knowles remembers growing up in a loving and raucous family of nine.
    Sara Sidner, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
  • He is best remembered in art and literature, however, for his showdown with Attila the Hun, leader of one of the most powerful fighting forces of its age.
    Alison Hudson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration is facing another legal challenge over its immigration policies, after it was reported Temporary Protected Status (TPS) would be cancelled for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Critical research trials have already been canceled midstream.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The letters range from the prosaic to the profound: recollections of childhood softball games, news about David’s retirement, updates on their aging mother’s declining health.
    Serge F. Kovaleski, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • After this, consolidation eventually stabilizes memory traces and stores them for future recollection in the long term.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Republicans who fall for this scheme are abandoning any pretense of free-market principles.
    Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • Even though Bezos is less involved in the day-to-day running of the tech giant, within hours of Trump’s call, Amazon publicly downplayed the potential plan to list tariffs before abandoning it entirely.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • In a similar vein, the name Pius would evoke memories of Pius XII, whose role during World War II has been increasingly criticized, Temple added.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • The album, which is set to feature dozens of tracks, will likely become not just the biggest debut in recent memory, but by the time 2025 wraps, it could very well be named the most successful release of the year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Maersk estimated Thursday that China-to-U.S. trade volumes had dropped in the range of 30 percent to 40 percent throughout April, following suit from a parallel 30-percent cancellation rated reported by Hapag-Lloyd.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 9 May 2025
  • For Wolf Entertainment and Universal TV, reducing a premium that was not big to begin with was not economically feasible, so the status of On Call at Amazon went from a pending two-season renewal to cancellation within the span of weeks.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The decision to scrap the AI diffusion rule, on the other hand, is a helpful one in the short run — reflected by Nvidia’s 3% pop in the final hour of trading Wednesday.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 May 2025
  • The Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket and the Orion spacecraft, both in development in one form or another since 2006, and both intended for crewed travel to the moon, will be scrapped too.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • If you are stopped by law enforcement for driving under the influence of intoxicants, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has the authority to revoke or suspend your driving privilege.
    Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
  • The Treasury Department, meanwhile, has reportedly started the process of revoking the school's tax-exempt status.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

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