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

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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

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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 All saints get their own day of celebration and remembrance, and this year marks the first one for Acutis, who was canonized by Pope Leo XIV earlier this year — the first such ceremony to be performed by the new pope. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025 Charming lockets accumulated into a graphic choker were part sweet remembrance, part bold declaration. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 Then known as Illa Plana, or flat island, it was renamed Nueva Tabarca in remembrance of their previous home. Miquel Ros, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025 By observing two days, Día de los Muertos allows for separate remembrance of deceased children and adults, acknowledging the different stages of life and providing a specific focus for each day. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for remembrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance
Noun
  • Nuno’s habitual talk of ‘bonds’ and understanding feels like a distant memory.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The Taliban evokes bitter memories in India.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After leading a blue-collar training camp and issuing regular reminders to play hard, Sturm’s message has rapidly gone viral within the room.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • At a minimum, expect a memo to be issued — as soon as tomorrow — to all teams with a clear reminder that no one should approach or enter the blue tent during an evaluation.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Guy Forget, the tournament director that year, did not respond to messages seeking his recollections of the event.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • That Civic was succeeded − in short order to the best of my recollection − by a 1979 Civic that had the benefit of an available supply of replacement parts.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What to Know Supporters are encouraged to wear red in memory of Kirk, a gesture that has been promoted at memorials and online.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • With hundreds of birthday and pink balloons in hand, Keiairra's friends and family gathered across the street from Prime Social to share memories and offer prayers at a balloon release memorial organized by Keiairra's twin sister, Keianna Travis.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remembrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remembrance. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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