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

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 remember But remember too that a lot of places don't have full coverage of security cameras. Peter D'abrosca, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025 Singh remembers pressure for his project to beat Universal’s movie to the punch. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2025 Last season, remember, was their first time back in the competition after a six-year absence. Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025 In one telling anecdote, Maron remembers how he was often tasked by his mother with telling a joke whenever his father was in a mood. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for remember

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Cite this Entry

“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remember. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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