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 Zelig’s mom, Kathy, remembers that morning as routine at first. — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 30 July 2026 Aliko Dangote wants to be remembered for being more than an industrialist. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 30 July 2026 People remember the great films through the stories of what happened to the character in that film. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 On July 6, Gill remembers Wonsley gathering her composure, as more of her siblings and family members drove up to the pier. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for remember

Recent Examples of Synonyms for remember

recall

Verb

Overeem also recalls being released after refusing a 50% pay cut, highlighting a lack of personal relationship with White.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
As the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches, Atlanta native Andrew Aydin recalls the day in late September when the devastating storm struck his community in Western North Carolina.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 2 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of remember

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Synonyms of remember

verb

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Example Sentences

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Articles Related to remember

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

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

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