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

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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 Servicemen and women from as far back as World War II to as recent as Operation Iraqi Freedom, placed flowers beneath crosses and a Jewish star as a symbol of remembrance. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 May 2026 Rather the film feels like an act of remembrance, instead of just a coming-of-age story. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 25 May 2026 Held among the thousands of flags, small and large, the ceremony featured words of remembrance for those who had died and thanks for the veterans who attended. Heather McRea, Oc Register, 25 May 2026 The Chip Ganassi Racing team adjusted its pit signs for the race in remembrance of Busch, and during the 18th lap of the race, Busch was honored on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's scoring pylon. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for remembrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance
Noun
  • But the rally has become increasingly concentrated in a handful of heavyweight technology names, particularly memory-chip maker SK Hynix and electronics giant Samsung Electronics.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 June 2026
  • Those childhood memories are the direct source of Namia's wellness philosophy of Thuoc Nam.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Police and fire rescue experts say this is also serves a reminder to always wear personal flotation devices in and around rivers, creeks, ditches and lakes.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • The distant rumble of the Central line is a reminder that the real world lurks outside this cosseted haven.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • As condolences and recollections pour in, the common thread — one that matched my own experiences when living in Doha — was that beneath Al Attiyah’s encyclopedic knowledge of the region’s history and mastery of energy politics, his humility and warmth was what drew people in.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 28 May 2026
  • After decapitating the body, Kennedy tied the head to the top of the family's minivan with a bungee cord, making for a less-than-pleasant five-hour drive back home to Mount Kisco, New York, according to her recollection.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Howard University historian Edna Greene Medford sees the memorial as a stage for America's changing ideas of freedom.
    CBS News, CBS News, 31 May 2026
  • Yet for an artist who spent a lifetime insisting that viewers become active participants rather than passive spectators, the exhibition arrives not simply as a memorial, but as a reminder of how much Le Parc influenced contemporary art.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Remembrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remembrance. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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