recall 1 of 2

recall

2 of 2

noun

1
as in recollection
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered his recall of the events of that turbulent time is significantly different from the accounts of other eyewitnesses

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recall distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recall are recollect, remember, remind, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

In what contexts can recollect take the place of recall?

The words recollect and recall are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

When can remember be used instead of recall?

The meanings of remember and recall largely overlap; however, remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When is it sensible to use remind instead of recall?

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

that reminds me of a story

When could reminisce be used to replace recall?

While in some cases nearly identical to recall, 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 recall
Verb
Adriana Jasso, who coordinates the U.S.-Mexico program for the Service Committee, recalled that hectic time and the group’s aid effort. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025 Over 212,000 pounds of liquid egg products that may contain a cleaning solution with sodium hypochlorite are being recalled nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Friday. Maureen MacKey, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
According to the report, the recall was because of a mislabeling issue. Moná Thomas, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 This market melted down in 2001 as the private merchant generators withheld power, skyrocketing prices amid rolling blackouts and leading to the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis. Tom Philp, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Richard remembered when his dad would receive the card.
    Graham Womack, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025
  • However, she may be most remembered for having crawled into Bond's bed naked in the hope of seducing him, which thankfully doesn't lead to any consummation given she's supposed to be 16 and Roger Moore's Bond was 53 at the time of the film's release.
    EW.com, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Universal was fined $1.3 million by state regulators in 2013 for canceling customers’ policies without justification and shifting profits to affiliate companies.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Streaming series, which represents a larger share of TV viewing, aren't included in the survey because they are renewed or canceled throughout the year.
    Gary Levin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In 2023, liberals accounted for 32%, moderates 50% and conservatives 18% of Chicago adults, based on respondents’ recollections.
    Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Investigators testified that Mullen gave inconsistent recollections when asked about Fischer during two interviews.
    Cameron Macdonald, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Iran later abandoned provisions of the JCPOA and forged ahead with its nuclear program.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The administration’s decision to abandon plans to move D.C.’s elite fighter jet squadron to Maryland comes months after the state’s congressional delegation and Gov. Wes Moore (D) worked to secure the planes to prevent the state from losing its flying mission.
    Meagan Flynn, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Geno Apicella Placentia March happiness Alabama’s record-breaking three-point shooting display in its Sweet 16 victory over BYU brought back great memories of No. 11 Loyola Marymount’s 149-115 victory over defending champion and No. 3 Michigan in the 1990 NCAA tournament.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The sisters spent the latter half of their lives sharing memories of his life and supporting the legacy of his career.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One accommodation owner tells CNN he’s had so many cancellations his business may not survive.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • While the noise cancellation is mid (but acceptable) our big complaint in our review was about the overly expensive price.
    John Mihaly, PCMAG, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The city held a meeting to hear residents’ concerns, but the follow-up meeting — meant to address those concerns — was scheduled for the day after the plan was scrapped.
    Letters to the Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Replays were scrapped altogether from the first round onwards this season.
    Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But weeks into office, Noem revoked the TPS extension for a large group of Venezuelans on Feb. 3, effective April 7.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • His parole was revoked, and he was returned to prison.
    Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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