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 Conan O’Brien is remembering his time on Saturday Night Live. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Dates to remember Knowing where the conspiracy theories are coming from is our best tool for understanding the difference between legitimate voting concerns (of which there are always some) and flat-out Trumpian anti-democratic danger-drivel. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 Taylor Swift celebrated the culmination of the U.S. leg of the Eras Tour by encouraging fans to remember to vote on Election Day. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 Jelly Roll gave shoutouts to Mad Frog and Skyline Chili The artist also paid homage to his humble roots by remembering his time playing at Mad Frog, the former Mount Auburn music venue that closed after 26 years in 2022. David Wysong, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

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