REMINISCENCE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reminiscence

noun

ˌre-mə-ˈni-sᵊn(t)s

Definition of reminiscence

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

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 reminiscence Aiding him in all this robust reminiscence is his co-producer on all the tracks and co-writer on about half of them, Andrew Watt, classic rock’s biggest modern cheerleader. — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 May 2026 The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder. — Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 Ah, reminiscences of days working on an oil rig gone by! — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 May 2026 McLarty and Walker shift from depressive introspection to giggling reminiscences. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminiscence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminiscence

Noun

This includes memory rules and separation from information belonging to other agents, customers or organizations.

— Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
This is the same trip, the same memory, but a different chapter.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of memory

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

Cite this Entry

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

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Synonyms of reminiscence

noun

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