Synonyms of reminiscence

reminiscence

noun

ˌre-mə-ˈni-sᵊn(t)s 

1

as in memory

a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered

his reminiscences about the war were painful to hear

Synonyms & Similar Words

• memory
• recollection
• memorial
• recall
• remembrance
• anamnesis
• reminder
• souvenir
• token
• flashback
• memento
• association

2

as in recollection

the power or process of recalling what has been previously learned or experienced

we wondered whether she could trust her reminiscence of events that happened so long ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recollection
• memory
• mind
• remembrance
• perception
• reflection
• comprehension
• thinking
• understanding
• awareness
• meditation
• consciousness
• retrospection
• contemplation
• musing
• total recall
• cognizance
• hypermnesia
• grasp
• apprehension
• grip

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repression
• amnesia
• forgetfulness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reminiscence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of reminiscence are memory, recollection, and remembrance. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

In what contexts can memory take the place of reminiscence?

While the synonyms memory and reminiscence are close in meaning, 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 would recollection be a good substitute for reminiscence?

Although the words recollection and reminiscence have much in common, 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 remembrance be a reasonable alternative to reminiscence?

The meanings of remembrance and reminiscence largely overlap; however, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reminiscence

In a novel stuffed with reminiscences of past relationships, regret is startlingly absent. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025

In addition to our regular news coverage, our final edition includes reminiscences from current staff members on A4, in addition to Part 2 of a newspaper history written by McLeod County Museum Director Brian Haines, which appears on B1. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Those seemingly muted details about her rich personality come from Marcelo Paiva’s intimate reminiscences about his mother and the Paivas’ collective experience in the aftermath of Rubens’ disappearance, expertly adapted by screenwriters Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

As Pete recalls events that happened to him, to people around him or to relatives, the intimate reminiscences meet the macro, touching on the impact of residential schools, land claims by greedy companies and the disproportionate incarceration of First Nations individuals. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 1 Feb. 2025