reminisce

Definition of reminiscenext

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 Thirty years later, the actress got to reconnect with Ventimiglia on her daytime talk show, Sherri, and reminisce about Rewind. Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 While fangs and stakes aren’t my forte, a gathering of friends and strangers acting goofy and reminiscing over childhood and teen memories sounded cool. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 Before the Gov Ball sound engineers cut his mic out of respect for the park’s strict curfew and noise ordinance, Pretty Flacko had to take time out to reminisce about his own breakout. Rob Kenner, VIBE.com, 8 June 2026 Mid-Century Stereo Equipment Records have made a major comeback, and flipping through a stack of vinyl to reminisce is relaxing. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminisce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce
Verb
  • An emotional vigil was held in Garfield, New Jersey, on Thursday to remember two children who died after being swept into the Passaic River.
    Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This is beautiful energy for repairing tension, making plans, or remembering that connection does not have to feel like a contest.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In a July 2025 text chain, an agent pondered whether facial recognition tools could be used to identify people on TikTok who admitted to being in the country illegally.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • In a July interview with Rolling Stone, Foreman pondered why his story went viral.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Overeem also recalls being released after refusing a 50% pay cut, highlighting a lack of personal relationship with White.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • As the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches, Atlanta native Andrew Aydin recalls the day in late September when the devastating storm struck his community in Western North Carolina.
    Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The actor’s outfit was adapted from Ackermann’s Fall-Winter 2026 ready-to-wear collection, which ruminated on the language of desire and seduction, and the magnetism of opposites.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • These self stories can lock people in place and lead them to ruminate on their own disempowerment.
    Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 July 2026
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
Verb
  • So, contemplate contrasts within the Conference Board’s consumer confidence indexes for the three months through July.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 3 Aug. 2026
  • A number of sports media sites and fan blogs took that to mean the Kings were contemplating a buyout, generating stories about possible destinations and LaVine’s potential fit with other teams.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As part of the same study, the researchers also analyzed gene activity in different tissues, including the liver and heart, to better understand the molecular changes accompanying the behavioral shifts.
    Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers analyzed data from 503 camera traps and 59 GPS collars tracking pumas’ presence in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula between 2020 and 2025.
    Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Runaway Species, co-authored with music composer Anthony Brandt, explores the neuroscience and behavior behind human creativity.
    Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Run to snag Patchology’s new Good Day lineup, and explore more from the brand, below.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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