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 Throughout the afternoon, friends, relatives and all those who profited from her devotion to learning came by to honor her, reminisce with her and show their appreciation for her lifelong efforts. Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 While sports fans are excited for this year’s games, there are those who reminisce about their time on that March Madness court. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026 Nearly 50 Naismith Hall of Famers were participants, and many reminisce for the documentary. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026 Watch O'Brien reminisce on his Letterman appearance in the video below. Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminisce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce
Verb
  • Knicks fans clearly remembered, booing Embiid the loudest during Monday’s pregame introductions and repeatedly directing profane chants at him.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
  • And Jessi will always remember her first high school game, coming in as a pinch hitter.
    Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • As Jeff Sanders wrote (here) on Thursday, the Padres are pondering a lot of different ways to deal with their starting pitching situation in the coming weeks.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
  • Graham may have finally assumed her rightful place in the newspaper-movie canon, but we’re still left to ponder her absence from the most iconic journalism movie of the 20th century.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Hostile former customers recalled poor customer service and flight experiences, while the more charitable lamented that the affordable airline could no longer offer a trade-off of service for a better price.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2026
  • Smyre recalled that Scott would go into the well during tense House-Senate moments and lay into him when Smyre was House Rules chair.
    Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Marin directed some of his ire at Esalen, the epicenter of the Human Potential Movement and the playground, its critics scoffed, of those privileged enough to spend their days ruminating over the self.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Ricky Gervais will be in attendance to give a masterclass as creator and director of Netflix’s Alley Cats, the adult animation following a group of feral cats who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life, accompanied by a sneak peek of the first two episodes.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Cole recollected that Linda seemed compassionate.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • But the Bruins recollected themselves, and the flow state returned on the other side of the timeout.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Here was a more congenial setting for contemplating liberty than Paris or Port-au-Prince.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • The Louisiana case is more likely to have an impact in other states that may be contemplating redistricting.
    Jack Fink, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • Two tested negative, while the third result was still being analyzed, according to the statement.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • This article was generated by the CA Earthquake Bot, software that analyzes structured information, such as data, and applies it to articles based on templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Over the past decade, Pau has created a series of media installations about the bauhinia, exploring different methods of rendering scientific data as sound and light.
    Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Looking ahead, Farzad said multiple carriers are likely to bid for pieces of Spirit rather than the whole company, including Frontier Airlines and JetBlue, both of which had previously explored deals.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on reminisce

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster