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 The Hornets’ new 7-foot-1 center remembers McNeeley’s 38-point performance in a 70-66 UConn victory at Creighton. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025 Edgecombe County remembered Lyons as one of the county's first firefighters in a June 7 Facebook post. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 Peter Shilton has been the clubhouse leader here for as long as anyone would care to remember. Jack Lang, New York Times, 16 June 2025 The couple's friends also remembered them as high achievers who were active in their local religious community while speaking to Leicestershire Live and the BBC. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for remember
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remember
recall
Verb
  • Leslie recalls a moment when her son’s Spanish teacher was astonished at his fluency.
    Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • For many of these patients, their fears recall past traumas: from their home countries, their journeys to the United States, and their settlement.
    Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remember. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

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