reminisce

Definition of reminiscenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reminisce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reminisce are recall, recollect, remember, and remind. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

In what contexts can recall take the place of reminisce?

The words recall and reminisce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

Where would recollect be a reasonable alternative to reminisce?

The synonyms recollect and reminisce are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 reminisce?

While in some cases nearly identical to reminisce, remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When is remind a more appropriate choice than reminisce?

In some situations, the words remind and reminisce are roughly equivalent. However, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

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 reminisce Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may renew their vows someday, but until then, there are many photos to reminisce on from their royal wedding on May 19, 2018. Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 High school seniors who are former students at Bird Rock, Torrey Pines and La Jolla Elementary schools took a trip down memory lane the week of May 11, visiting their elementary alma maters to reminisce, greet students and take photos. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026 And yet again, the opportunity gave fans a chance to reminisce on her 2005 days as the woman who proved an MMA name could star in Hollywood, too. Mark Puleo, New York Times, 17 May 2026 But Collins is not in Cannes simply to reminisce about the golden age of cinema. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminisce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce
Verb
  • Cape Verde’s defiance, and the heroics of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha in particular, will be remembered for some time in Spain.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Chattanooga has come a long way since the neighborhood games McClure remembers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s in addition to problems like data drift, bias in training data, black swan events, and other things that the panelists touched on in pondering the challenges of instituting these systems in a highly regulated industry.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • And ponder permits for multifamily units, primarily housing in apartment complexes.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Aquazzura designed the Sea Wave silhouette to recall a shimmering wave, using transparent PVC and tonal metallic leather to create its fluid profile.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 13 June 2026
  • Ford is recalling more than 250,000 vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under a previous recall meant to fix a problem that caused the engine to stall while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • San Antonio will ruminate for a long time on the mistakes that cost it a 29-point lead, including a pass out of bounds when Stephon Castle wasn’t looking for the ball and Fox’s decision to shoot the layup rather than wait for the Knicks to foul him.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • Shaboozey, who cites Pink Floyd’s surreal The Wall as one of his favorite albums and movies, had been ruminating on the idea for more than a decade.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Through its characters, the book stages an argument about the virtues of various types of maps—those that are measured, those that are recollected, those that are dreamed.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • Continually surrounded by well-wishers during an hour of socializing before a formal program of speakers and videos recollecting his career, Lubelfeld listened to what others had to say before speaking himself.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • For most high schoolers, the summer between sophomore and junior years means looking ahead to the ACT and, reflecting on the halfway point, starting to more seriously contemplate what the future has in store.
    Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • The antitrust hurdle cleared by Paramount comes as state attorneys general in California, New York and almost a dozen other states are contemplating an antitrust suit to put the brakes on what would become a mega-studio.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • In the study, which analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected between 2021 and 2024, researchers say that despite numerous state-level bans on kratom across the nation, its use is at an all-time high and is increasing.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
  • BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Future work will focus on expanding the interfacial spin-regulation strategy used in the study and exploring whether similar approaches can improve other energy-conversion and storage technologies.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
  • Songs from Proof and Most Beautiful Moments in Life will be broken down to explore their deeper meanings and underlying messages.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reminisce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reminisce. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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