REMINISCENCE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'reminiscence' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of reminiscence are memory , recollection , and remembrance . While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past. // my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

Q: In what contexts can 'memory' take the place of 'reminiscence'?

While the synonyms memory and reminiscence are close in meaning, memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered. // gifted with a remarkable memory // that incident was now just a distant memory

Q: When would 'recollection' be a good substitute for 'reminiscence'?

Although the words recollection and reminiscence have much in common, recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort. // after a moment's recollection he produced the name

Q: Where would 'remembrance' be a reasonable alternative to 'reminiscence'?

The meanings of remembrance and reminiscence largely overlap; however, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered. // any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

reminiscence

noun

ˌre-mə-ˈni-sᵊn(t)s

Definition of reminiscence next

as in memory

a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered his reminiscences about the war were painful to hear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in recollection

the power or process of recalling what has been previously learned or experienced we wondered whether she could trust her reminiscence of events that happened so long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reminiscence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of reminiscence are memory, recollection, and remembrance. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

In what contexts can memory take the place of reminiscence?

While the synonyms memory and reminiscence are close in meaning, memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered.

gifted with a remarkable memory

that incident was now just a distant memory

When would recollection be a good substitute for reminiscence?

Although the words recollection and reminiscence have much in common, recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

after a moment's recollection he produced the name

Where would remembrance be a reasonable alternative to reminiscence?

The meanings of remembrance and reminiscence largely overlap; however, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

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 reminiscence Many folks shared reminiscences of the old days. —

Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026 Brooks isn’t too macho to tear up during these reminiscences. —

Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026 There were reminiscences about Bobby’s playing every snap for his father’s team, Bobby’s coaching start at a $5,000-a-year job and Bobby’s always doing the right thing, sticking with his convictions no matter what anyone else thought or had to say. —

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026 The filmmakers also planned to bookend the story with the reminiscences of the older Kirk and Spock — a cunning ruse to get the headline power of Shatner and Nimoy in the movie. —

Richard Edwards, Space.com, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminiscence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminiscence

Noun

Sad memories of last year — when Wooten lost a tiebreaker in her state championship singles match to hand Palmetto the title — are all but erased.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, and the high-profile punishments incurred by those who weren’t properly remorseful, Kirk morphed into one of the most widespread memes in recent memory.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026