REMEMBER Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

remember

verb

ri-ˈmem-bər

Definition of remember

as in to recall

to bring back to mind I remember very clearly the fun we had that long-ago summer, but I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday

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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

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 remember Celebrate a beloved roller skating rink, remember Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, or head to parks for movies, music and square dancing. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Jeff Bezos' Dolly Parton Instagram post draws criticism Bezos remembered Parton in an Instagram post alongside a throwback photo of the pair from 2022, when the Amazon founder presented her with the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. — Sameen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Having worked in the fashion industry, Quinn remembered that there was an upscale clothing store, White Cherry Boutique, located just around the corner. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Nathan Thomas remembers his first day of college as being a normal day. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for remember

Recent Examples of Synonyms for remember

recall

Verb

Those songs and more were performed during his set by an ace band that included two drummers, whose polyrhythmic beat recalled the Burundi-like drumming of Ant’s 1980 masterpiece Kings of the Wild Frontier.

— David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Cole recalled how, at the close of those early shows, the drawings were removed from their frames and returned to Auckland, to be put back in their cupboards.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of recall

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remeets

remember

remembered

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“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remember. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of remember

verb

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

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Synonyms of remember

verb

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

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