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
Zoltan also recalls how, just prior to the crash, Mansfield had been sitting in the backseat of the car with her three children. Carita Rizzo, People.com, 17 May 2025 In February 2024, the company recalled its entire autonomous fleet after two of its cars collided with a backward-facing truck that was being towed. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 May 2025
Noun
The government’s recalls were greeted with applause on Capitol Hill. Kayla Steinberg, NBC news, 15 May 2025 And the company will need to be able to supply these files to their customers—the automobile manufacturers—in the event of a part recall or other problem. Nick Burling, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Shooting victim Sarah Milgrim remembered as 'a light' who fought antisemitism Israeli Embassy shooting: See the scene Real quick All American Rejects singer explains what's up with viral pop-up shows.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Walk into the room ready to be moved, not managed, because safe work doesn’t get remembered.
    Flavio Vidigal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • But this sort of work would require close collaboration with Chinese researchers, at just the time when those collaborations are being scrutinized or canceled.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
  • Panama's comptroller general and attorney general are now seeking to cancel CK Hutchison's concessions to its two Canal Zone ports.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
  • My recollection is that Floridians have been demanding insurance relief.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • President mulls joining Russia-Ukraine peace talks, expects ceasefire With Russian forces now in control of close to a fifth of Ukraine, Putin has held fast to his longstanding demands for Kyiv to cede territory, abandon its NATO membership ambitions and become a neutral country.
    USA Today, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • When Lollapalooza first announced that Olivia and Sabrina Carpenter were headlining this summer (along with Tyler, the Creator and Rüfüs Du Soul), with Abrams also in a top slot, there was the predictable gnashing of teeth that Lollapalooza is abandoning its precious rock heritage.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Outlawed in many regions due to the fire risk and environmental hazards, the idea of releasing thousands of them indiscriminately into the sky literally wouldn’t fly here in Southern California, where memories of the January wildfires are all too fresh.
    Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • Director Camilo Becerra, known for his focus on social and familial dysfunction, draws from his own adolescence and cultural memory to deliver a raw and reflective portrait of youth.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • To check prices, availability and cancellation policies for Park ‘N Go, visit gator.bookparkngo.com/. For Self Park FLL, visit selfparkfll.com Miami Herald staff writer Michelle Marchante contributed to this report.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
  • Additionally, sign-ups, payment management, and cancellations can all be handled in a single intuitive interface.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • But that idea gets scrapped not long after it’s introduced.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2025
  • Aspinall took that fight on short notice when the original main event for that card, Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic for Jones's heavyweight title was scrapped following an injury to Jones.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • The Administration sought to revoke the immigration status of thousands of international students in April.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 20 May 2025
  • Significantly, this executive order revokes a previous one, issued by President Bill Clinton, which mandated that the federal government offer linguistic access to people with limited English proficiency.
    Graciela Mochkofsky, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on recall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!