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
Now the court returned to the Erie doctrine which, it will be recalled, requires a federal court sitting in diversity jurisdiction to apply state substantive law but federal procedural law. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 Comments Midway through season 6 of Boy Meets World, Rider Strong recalls feeling tired of acting out dramatic storylines for his character Shawn Hunter. Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
In May, Zoox conducted two more recalls—first after an incident in which one of its robotaxis collided with a passenger vehicle in Las Vegas, and later another where a person on a scooter ran into one of its unoccupied taxis. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 18 June 2025 Go to the above hyperlink to register for this recall and check instructions on how to get rid of the current power bank. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
Verb
  • Peter Shilton has been the clubhouse leader here for as long as anyone would care to remember.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • Yesterday's race in Montreal will not be remembered as one of the all-time great Canadian F1 races.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • All incoming and outgoing flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport have been canceled.
    Christina Wilkie,Anniek Bao,Riya Bhattacharjee, CNBC, 13 June 2025
  • That includes canceling $500 million for activities related to infectious diseases and child and maternal health and another $400 million to address the global HIV epidemic.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Predictably, the Canadiens swept the series in four games, none of which anyone alive today has any recollection of.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • Your personality, taste, and a recollection of all the memories your curls hold.
    Akili King, Essence, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • To add insult to injury, Pfizer abandoned its plan just a few years after the Kelo decision, just as its tax breaks were about to expire and after about $80 million of taxpayer money was spent, and the land remains a vacant lot all these years later.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
  • Another noted that the Post tried to become a national rival to The New York Times and failed — abandoning its identity as a regional and D.C. insider paper in the process.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Whether stowed in a recipe tin, pasted in a book, or safely tucked away in a memory, family recipes are part of what makes cooking so special.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
  • This, in turn, can significantly impact a child’s mood, memory or attention.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Kylie Minogue has announced the cancellation of four of her upcoming shows after being struck down with illness.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 14 June 2025
  • As part of the plan, which is expected to go before Congress, funding for science projects would be cut by nearly 50%, including the cancellation of NASA's plans for a Mars Sample Return mission and its involvement in the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The Cinderella fourth seed kept scrapping runs together, forcing the Bruins to use six pitchers.
    Brady Oltmans, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
  • Tax on tips and overtime pay could be scrapped for people living in Pennsylvania, if two new pieces of legislation are passed in the state.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • According to state law, permits are immediately revoked if a restaurant receives a score of less than 70%.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
  • McLaughlin said a green card was a privilege that should be revoked for people who support terrorist activity, an allegation the Trump admin has levied against Khalil without backing up.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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