Definition of remembrancenext
1
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

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2
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

3

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 Another photo was overlaid with a Black Lives Matter filter in remembrance of Atatiana Jefferson, the Black woman who was fatally shot by a Fort Worth police officer in 2019. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026 Brody’s remembrance is the first entry in Songs of Summer, a new series in which writers reflect on music and memory. Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 23 June 2026 Hannah had most likely brought with her to Sheffield a fully outfitted trousseau, household items and tokens of remembrance. New York Times, 22 June 2026 The events offer remembrance, celebration and community. Crystal Tate, USA Today, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for remembrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance
Noun
  • Prosecutor Brittany Dunlop challenged Zarrius' version of events, telling the jury during closing arguments that his apparent memory loss was not credible.
    Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Those emotions and memories now dry up in this, the final adventure, of dessication.
    Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Both human and artificial, and tantalizingly difficult to parse, the screams puncture the track’s otherwise steamy atmosphere, like a reminder of reality in the middle of a dreamy reverie.
    Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026
  • Need a reminder of what the festivities and events mean for traffic and road shutdowns and detours?
    Howard Cohen June 24, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Maria Avila offered tearful recollections of the traumatic incident and her less-than-full recovery on the stand last week, speaking in Spanish with an interpreter.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • The Shining Stars documentary was released in 2001 using a similar narrative approach that combined band member recollections with commentary from contemporary hit artists.
    Prof. Mike Alleyne Ph.D, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The memorial had poignant moments.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • Congress named the performing arts venue as a living memorial to Kennedy in 1964, the year after he was assassinated.
    Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Remembrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remembrance. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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