Synonym Chooser

How is the word remember distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of remember are recall, recollect, remind, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When would recall be a good substitute for remember?

The synonyms recall and remember are sometimes interchangeable, but recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

When can recollect be used instead of remember?

The words recollect and remember can be used in similar contexts, but recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

When could remind be used to replace remember?

Although the words remind and remember have much in common, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

In what contexts can reminisce take the place of remember?

While in some cases nearly identical to remember, reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Examples 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 remember The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in attendance at the starry event, as Eichner remembers. Jack Smart, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024 His father remembers visiting Scott around this time and driving around with him between casting calls. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 Friends and family of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson remembered the 50-year-old father of two as he was laid to rest during a private funeral service in Maple Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, the same day that the arrest of his alleged assassin drew the nation's attention. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Anyone could be forgiven for struggling to remember which TV shows aired in 2024. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for remember 

Thesaurus Entries Near remember

Cite this Entry

“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remember. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

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