REMEMBRANCE Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of remembrance are memory , recollection , and reminiscence . While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered. // any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

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

While in some cases nearly identical to remembrance , 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 is 'recollection' a more appropriate choice than 'remembrance'?

The meanings of recollection and remembrance largely overlap; however, 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 'reminiscence' be a reasonable alternative to 'remembrance'?

The synonyms reminiscence and remembrance are sometimes interchangeable, but reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past. // my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

remembrance

noun

ri-ˈmem-brən(t)s

Definition of remembrance next

as in memory

a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered a happy couple with many fond remembrances of when they were dating in college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in reminder

something that serves to keep alive the memory of a person or event she gave her boyfriend on the eve of his military service one of her lockets as a remembrance of their abiding affection

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in recollection

the power or process of recalling what has been previously learned or experienced remembrance will wane with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word remembrance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of remembrance are memory, recollection, and reminiscence. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

In what contexts can memory take the place of remembrance?

While in some cases nearly identical to remembrance, 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 is recollection a more appropriate choice than remembrance?

The meanings of recollection and remembrance largely overlap; however, 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 reminiscence be a reasonable alternative to remembrance?

The synonyms reminiscence and remembrance are sometimes interchangeable, but reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

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 remembrance Flags flew at full staff at Trump's inauguration on Monday, despite an order from the now former President Joe Biden to lower the flags at half-staff in remembrance of the late President Jimmy Carter. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 When her uncle died, her auntie bought her a City shirt in remembrance of him. —

Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 Flags will be flown at full-staff for Trump's presidential inauguration, despite an order from Biden to lower them to half-staff in remembrance of the late President Jimmy Carter. —

Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025 Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan added his own remembrance. —

Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for remembrance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance

Noun

Those supermarket smack-talking sessions have gone on to become some of Struthers’ favorite memories of Arthur.

— EW.com, EW.com, 9 Feb. 2025
Rachel Wisniewski/for NPR One of Roman's favorite memories came this season in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

— Frank Langfitt, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025