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

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 The ceremony, attended by former NASA astronauts, current NASA leaders and surviving family of those being remembered, was one of several events around the nation held at NASA centers as well as Arlington National Ceremony in Washington. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025 Firefighter rigs will light up and candles will be lit to remember firefighters and those in emergency medical services and dispatches services who took their own lives – and for the families who suffered the tragic loss. Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 Jayden Daniels began his NFL career as the draft’s second pick, but that is not how his rookie season will be remembered. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025 The appearance of Peeler’s name on the list shocked the victims’ family, the prosecutors involved in the 1999 case and lawmakers from the state who remember how the double murder helped establish a witness protection program in Connecticut. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for remember 

Thesaurus Entries Near remember

Cite this Entry

“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remember. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

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