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

Taylor Farms, which suspended processing and distribution of iceberg lettuce and brought in outside inspectors at its Central Mexico plant, has also recalled a variety of food products containing jalapeños linked to an ongoing salmonella outbreak. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 Some more sleuthing led the FDA to recommended that Coast Citrus Distributors recall such products. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

But at the time, no recall had been reported by federal agencies. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 Anyone who purchased the eggs associated with the recall are asked to avoid consumption and return the product to its original place of purchase for a full refund. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall

Verb

Turning professional The club’s general manager Martín Ortega still remembers watching Diomandé train for the first time with the senior squad.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Someone has to notice the school notice, remember the appointment, update the calendar, add groceries to the list, and make sure everyone understands what needs to happen next.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of remember

Verb

Town leaders canceled their contract with Flock Safety, saying a legal review found the agreement violated state law.

— Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The franchise was canceled after a 2006 Texas operation in which Rockwall County assistant district attorney Louis Conradt died by suicide as authorities and the show’s crew closed in on his home.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

Mother and daughter have differing recollections of that conversation some 14 years ago.

— Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Her next memory was waking up in the hospital, with no recollection of what happened, and her phone, wallet, watch, keys, and purse were missing.

— Jessica Riley, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of recollection

Noun

Depending on the airline and circumstances, carriers may reimburse reasonable travel expenses due to controllable cancellations and delays, subject to review.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Rolling Stone had subsequently reported that Beard’s health was the cause of the cancellation.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of cancellation

Noun

Bob Hennessey said members of his team have been trading pins and other items to keep for memories down the road.

— Pat Gallen, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Unitree is the latest high-profile Chinese tech name to hit Shanghai's STAR Market, following memory chipmaker CXMT's listing last month, when its shares soared 466% on their first day of trading.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of memory

Noun

Officials argue the repeal is necessary for responsible forest management and to reduce wildfire risk.

— Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 19 Aug. 2026
For three days businesses, schools, public transit, and even the city’s airport ceased operations as protesters demanded the repeal of Law 2029, lower water rates, and the return of the city’s water system to public control.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of repeal

Verb

One particularly stubborn bottleneck automatically sent recruits who wore glasses for screening for rare disqualifying eye conditions, a requirement officials eventually scrapped.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
But local politicians and parties to the settlement say scrapping the Biden-era pact would require years of federal review and public engagement.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrap

Cite this Entry

Style

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of recall

verb

noun

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

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Synonyms of recall

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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

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