Synonym Chooser

How is the word remember distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of remember are recall, recollect, remind, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When would recall be a good substitute for remember?

The synonyms recall and remember are sometimes interchangeable, but recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

When can recollect be used instead of remember?

The words recollect and remember can be used in similar contexts, but recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

When could remind be used to replace remember?

Although the words remind and remember have much in common, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

In what contexts can reminisce take the place of remember?

While in some cases nearly identical to remember, 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 remember Blinking keeps your eyes moisturized, so remember to blink when looking at digital screens for long periods of time. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 10 Sep. 2025 With elections scheduled for October 2026, Netanyahu remains focused on staying in power, but also on shaping how history will remember him. MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 Brilliant saves are great, but only a handful of those are remembered. Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for remember
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remember
recall
Verb
  • Burn hazards, meaning use of the product could lead to burns, were behind 294 recalls in the same time frame.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • On the red carpet at the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Bonneville recalls finding out about Dockery's exciting news.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remember. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

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