REMINISCE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'reminisce' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reminisce are recall , recollect , remember , and remind . While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone. // old college friends like to reminisce

Q: In what contexts can 'recall' take the place of 'reminisce'?

The words recall and reminisce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech. // can't recall the words of the song

Q: Where would 'recollect' be a reasonable alternative to 'reminisce'?

The synonyms recollect and reminisce are sometimes interchangeable, but recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered. // as near as I can recollect

Q: When can 'remember' be used instead of 'reminisce'?

While in some cases nearly identical to reminisce , remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled. // remembers that day as though it were yesterday

Q: When is 'remind' a more appropriate choice than 'reminisce'?

In some situations, the words remind and reminisce are roughly equivalent. However, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity. // that reminds me of a story

reminisce

verb

Definition of reminisce

as in to remember

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in to ponder

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reminisce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reminisce are recall, recollect, remember, and remind. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

In what contexts can recall take the place of reminisce?

The words recall and reminisce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

Where would recollect be a reasonable alternative to reminisce?

The synonyms recollect and reminisce are sometimes interchangeable, but recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

When can remember be used instead of reminisce?

While in some cases nearly identical to reminisce, remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When is remind a more appropriate choice than reminisce?

In some situations, the words remind and reminisce are roughly equivalent. However, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

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 reminisce The group took a moment to paused the conversation to reminisce about Parton. — Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Arizona newcomers would have plenty of people to reminisce about their home state with. — Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026 Looking back may be a sad endeavor, so just take the time to reminisce and then get on with what today has to offer. — Judith Levy, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Disney Channel alum, and perhaps the best figurehead for the layered look, Ashley Tisdale is the go-to internet meme for when millennials want to reminisce about the Y2K fashion choices. — Emma Childs, Glamour, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminisce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce

Verb

At the recent memorial gathering, attendees watched Angels in the Outfield and remembered the angel who was their friend and loved one.

— Susan Young, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
Matthew Perry’s family and friends remember the late actor’s incredible talent, generosity, and long battle with addiction in the poignant new trailer for the upcoming documentary, The One About Matthew Perry.

— Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of remember

Verb

It might be pondered, for example, by people who love pets, consider the ethics of eating meat, or worry about the biosphere.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026
For more than a year, industry stakeholders in Georgia and the rest of the country have pondered how public policy could help jolt the film industry in the United States.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ponder

Verb

The company ultimately recalled millions of vehicles and paid billions in penalties and settlements.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Machchhar appeared emotional in the call with Modi while recalling the ordeal, and apologized to the prime minister for crying on the phone.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of recall

Verb

So, Otto sits at the end of the counter, ruminating on the past weeks, then downs his glass of Gordon’s.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
The most tonally bizarre Apes movie ruminates on that question with a mixture of money-saving light comedy and mic-drop grimness.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruminate

Verb

Father and son then recollect a life lived in secret as the filmmaker reflects on his own queerness.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026
Homer’s poem never depicts the horse and the sacking of Troy in direct action; the city’s fall is recollected only in the form of stories that glorify Greece’s soldiers.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

Definition of recollect

Verb

The connection to ego may help explain why rejections are so painful, even for people who had already been contemplating ending their relationship—but then their partner beat them to the punch.

— George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
Alongside the city’s support, plans contemplate roughly $540 million in state support and $2 billion in private financing.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of contemplate

Verb

For each gene, the catalogue would ideally include its technical complexity, which methods can reliably analyze it, and document when a specialized test is required.

— Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
Signals intelligence is the field of collecting, intercepting and analyzing electronic signals to support defense, communications and emergency response.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of analyze

Verb

Each bungalow has a deck—most with direct beach access—as well as its own golf cart and bikes for exploring the 96-acre island.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
The panel will explore how clubs build global businesses through commercial growth, fan engagement and international expansion.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of explore

Browse Nearby Words

reminds

reminisce

reminisce (about)

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Style

“Reminisce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reminisce. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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