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 Not that the city won’t reminisce and celebrate them and all those type of things. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 With these glass prints, your mom can reminisce about all of the good times and use them as a constant reminder of your love. Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025 After introducing him to her friends, the pair began to reminisce about what had gone wrong in their past relationship, before delving into a steamy encounter. Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 22 Sep. 2025 Over breakfast Wednesday at Fox & Goose Public House, seven of the former lawmakers reunited to reminisce and trade war stories about working with — or against — legendary California politicians Willie Brown, John Burton, and others. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reminisce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce
Verb
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling World Series that will be remembered for decades to come, becoming the first back-to-back champions MLB has seen in 25 years.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This one billionaire would thereby be entitled to a disproportionate share of—remember, by nature limited—removals, simply by virtue of his ability to pay handsomely for them.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But the moment is fleeting, as the orchestra strikes back up, the sharp edge is dulled, the curtain falls, and audiences are left to ponder how a show so big could also say so little.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In a 2017 oral history of the notorious scene, One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn recalled that the origins of the scene lay in the idea of cultivating some sympathy for the villainous Dan.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Clarkson recalled that former boyfriend musician Graham Colton introduced her to Griffin’s music.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Now, in his late-middle age, a much more flexible Linklater is ruminating on other notorious artists.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
  • A lot of it is simple, disciplined, ruminating in a way that won’t surprise anyone aware of his work with The National.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Vetting will include more background and criminal checks, an immigration status review and potentially recollecting biometrics data, like fingerprints and photos.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
  • There were no dates recollected correctly.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • People play backgammon and dance around a campfire next to a Music Trunk with a record turntable, while a couple contemplates a frozen lake.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Council members also are contemplating charging more for on-street outdoor dining.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Tools can track a worker’s every keystroke and mouse movement and analyze his or her emails.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • According to Google, Gemini analyzes data on 250 million places and compares it with Street View images to find the most visible and useful landmarks.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This continuation aims to honor that legacy while exploring the modern challenges of identity, independence, and purpose facing a new generation.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The event brings together leaders from entertainment, advocacy, innovation and investment to explore how storytelling can shape culture and drive measurable social progress.
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reminisce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reminisce. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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