Definition of remembrancenext
1
as in memory
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered a happy couple with many fond remembrances of when they were dating in college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in reminder
something that serves to keep alive the memory of a person or event she gave her boyfriend on the eve of his military service one of her lockets as a remembrance of their abiding affection

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word remembrance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of remembrance are memory, recollection, and reminiscence. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

In what contexts can memory take the place of remembrance?

While in some cases nearly identical to remembrance, memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered.

gifted with a remarkable memory
that incident was now just a distant memory

When is recollection a more appropriate choice than remembrance?

The meanings of recollection and remembrance largely overlap; however, recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

after a moment's recollection he produced the name

Where would reminiscence be a reasonable alternative to remembrance?

The synonyms reminiscence and remembrance are sometimes interchangeable, but reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

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 remembrance Surviving Black Sabbath members drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and guitarist Tony Iommi individually shared their remembrances. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026 The archdiocese’s memorial beautifully affirms that those lost to suicide are worthy of remembrance, dignity and love. Geri McGinn Kerger, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026 The group, which claims that white South African farmers are victims of racial discrimination and violence, is fundraising to place 3,000 white crosses on the National Mall in remembrance of attacks on South African farmers. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 July 2026 In addition to individual tributes, actors and friends flooded the comments section of the Instagram post announcing Neill's death with messages of remembrance. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for remembrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance
Noun
  • The unexpected weekend getaway While planning ahead is crucial during the busy summer months, some of the best memories come from those spur-of-the-moment trips.
    Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This is being enabled by newer architectures like compute-in-memory that will increase performance and reduce costs.
    Lee-Lean Shu, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Those moments are sobering reminders of just how thin the margins are for the Phillies rotation, which has been excellent for the most part, though extremely top-heavy.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • While tensions have ramped up between Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia in recent days, here’s a reminder of the latest developments in the conflict between the US and Iran.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Bailey’s early recollections of scent come from his grandparents.
    Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The most fateful night of my protagonist’s life—the night when her childhood best friend disappears on a black-sand beach—leaves her with a distorted recollection of what really happened.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Now the area was ablaze; Aragüés found out not long ago that, sadly, the memorial had burned.
    M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Dennis McKeon, who organizes a Staten Island 9/11 survivor group, similarly told CBS New York that previous mayors and governors attended memorials despite criticism of their records on 9/11 issues.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Remembrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remembrance. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on remembrance

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster