REMEMBER Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

remember

verb

ri-ˈmem-bər

Definition of remember next

as in to recall

to bring back to mind I remember very clearly the fun we had that long-ago summer, but I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday

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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 Fans of Batman: The Animated Series may remember Rupert Thorne, one of Gotham's most powerful crime bosses, making life tough for the Dark Knight. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 History remembers Mario’s movement as intuitive and Super Mario 64 as one of the best games of all time. —

Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025 Carter insisted his presidency was more successful than people remember, noting recently that the United States military never launched a missile or dropped a bomb under his watch. —

Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 30 Dec. 2024 Carter, who died at the age of 100, will be remembered on January 9, as many other former presidents have been treated after their deaths. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for remember