reminisce

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 celebrity chef, who shared screen time with White on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland from 2010 to 2015, also reminisced about the television icon during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in June. Erin Clements, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025 To laughs and applause, SXSW President Hugh Forrest captured the sentiment, reminiscing about how conference crowds anticipated social media and technology breakthroughs would change the world for the better when Twitter first made waves at SXSW in 2007. Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Elsewhere in the interview, Gruffudd also reminisced on working with co-star Evans and shared his thoughts on the actor’s cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2025 The caption began with Parker, 60, reminiscing on Carrie's many adventures. Julia Moore, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reminisce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce
Verb
  • Employees will remember how they’re treated at this moment.
    Maria Ross, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The day before the 1965 championship game, Devlin remembered Windsor Locks manager Bob O’Connor, a no-nonsense World War II veteran, telling his players to line up and take off their caps.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Michael Bier of Foul Territory TV also pondered a division with the Royals, Rangers, Astros and Cardinals.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Thomas and Irish director Mark Cousins pondered over the state of the film industry during a 90-minute conversation, which also covered Harvey Weinstein, Harry Cohn and Thomas’ time spent with some of the biggest filmmakers in history.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Food and Drug Administration is recalling frozen shrimp sold at Walmart, including stores in Ohio and Kentucky, for possible radioactive chemical contamination.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, The Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The situation recalls San Diego’s struggles to shut down hundreds of unlicensed cannabis storefronts as the city began permitting legal dispensaries for the first time in 2014.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The intimate sketches of the private pop artist depict him socializing, ruminating, and — in one shot — standing shirtless and vulnerable, his scars visible from a 1968 assassination attempt.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Wednesday is ruminating on the big questions — who faked those patients’ deaths?
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • During an interview with PEOPLE, the Dawson’s Creek alum recollects his childhood memories of drinking sodas after hockey practice with his friends, Dr. Pepper being his go-to choice, and how those traditions have carried into his adulthood.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Wright was speaking at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival and recollected her battle for equal pay on the Netflix hit.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • The company is now contemplating a Series B round as well, with a specific goal of opening new market segments.
    Jim Vinoski, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The club was still contemplating whether to add a sixth starter to the mix sometime during this stretch.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Inside Elections, a nonpartisan group that analyzes political races, says races for eight GOP House incumbents are toss-ups.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Eventually, the team took another look at the Pando frog specimens, analyzing their DNA and comparing them to other species.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some dogs might have seen the open door as an invitation to explore the house, taking the opportunity to exhibit unwanted behavior.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
  • With so much to explore, experience and dance to, Milwaukee’s Mexican Fiesta is one of the most vibrant festivals at Maier Festival Park.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 24 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reminisce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reminisce. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

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