RECALL Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

recall 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkȯl

Definition of recall

as in to remember

to bring back to mind I don't recall meeting you before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cancel

to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) I'll recall my purchase order if the company refuses to guarantee that it'll arrive before Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recall

2 of 2

noun

ri-ˈkȯl

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

as in cancellation

the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to we can't get a refund on the plane tickets, so the trip is beyond recall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

His niece Amy Ricci recalled telling her uncle that her daughter had eaten an entire box of communion wafers. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Lisa Oberlander fondly recalls her time at Miami Killian Senior High in the 1980s. — Austin Horn august 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Noun

The recall is the latest in a series of recent incidents involving injectable medical solutions with potential particulate contamination. — Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Unless a smart toilet is synced with a smartwatch or ring, its AI relies on user recall of those inputs, which may be incomplete. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall

Verb

An all-rounder with a heart of gold, Dolly will also be remembered for her philanthropy, her acting roles, her business acumen and her support of good causes.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Sarajevans still remember his commands to the Serb gunmen pounding the Bosnian capital in early 1992.

— Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of remember

Verb

If the league and union can’t agree on a new contract by some time in March, some regular-season games likely would be canceled.

— Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Another, who said a relative's upcoming interview had been canceled, described feeling confused and upset by what appeared to be an embassy-wide hold.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

Remarkably, after more than a 40-year interval, Tursi was able to track down one of the hostage takers to get his recollections of that fateful day.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
In their latest filing, the prosecutors maintain the teen's recollections of the abuse first surfaced during a high school dream.

— John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of recollection

Verb

Financing expires, talent moves on, and production slates are abandoned.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
At an event overflowing with seven-figure hypercars and extreme technology, the car that exploded onto social media was one built around ideas that most of the industry has abandoned.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of abandon

Noun

That followed an increase over the summer from $599, which Apple blamed on memory costs.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Why breakfast is linked to memory and grades The American Academy of Pediatrics says children who regularly miss breakfast miss out on benefits tied directly to school performance.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of memory

Noun

But the immunizations considered for repeal by DOH are only an agency rule, not in state law, and can be repealed by the agency itself.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Opponents of the repeal also highlight the broader role these forests play, saying the roadless areas are an important part of local communities and economies.

— Dan Peck, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

Three Saudi companies have scrapped plans for initial public offerings that were scheduled over the next month because of expectations of weak investor demand as the Iran war weighs on sentiment, according to people familiar with the matter.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The Venice Film Festival is weighing scrapping its traditional opening jury press conference on the Lido.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrap

Cite this Entry

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“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of recall

verb

noun

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Synonyms of recall

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to recall

'Recollect' vs. 'Remember' vs. 'Recall'

Cite this Entry

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