RECOLLECTION Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'recollection' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of recollection are memory , remembrance , and reminiscence . While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort. // after a moment's recollection he produced the name

Q: When is 'memory' a more appropriate choice than 'recollection'?

The meanings of memory and recollection largely overlap; however, 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: Where would 'remembrance' be a reasonable alternative to 'recollection'?

Although the words remembrance and recollection have much in common, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered. // any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reminiscence' instead of 'recollection'?

While in some cases nearly identical to recollection , reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past. // my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

recollection

noun

ˌre-kə-ˈlek-shən

Definition of recollection

as in memory

a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered I have no recollection of ever saying that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in mind

the power or process of recalling what has been previously learned or experienced the gradual recollection of that long-ago romance brought back both happy and painful feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recollection distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of recollection are memory, remembrance, and reminiscence. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

after a moment's recollection he produced the name

When is memory a more appropriate choice than recollection?

The meanings of memory and recollection largely overlap; however, 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

Where would remembrance be a reasonable alternative to recollection?

Although the words remembrance and recollection have much in common, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

When is it sensible to use reminiscence instead of recollection?

While in some cases nearly identical to recollection, reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

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 recollection One of his earliest recollections of Michael is asking him for Starbursts — specifically the pink and red ones, his favorite flavors. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 The anecdote offered a glimpse into Pollak's recollections of Torn's off-camera behavior. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 That call ran about 44 minutes, by Zuckerberg’s recollection. — Emma Witman, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 Someone who regularly walks through the same area may remember its condition earlier in the week, although recollections can differ. — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recollection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recollection

memory

Noun

The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
However, the market's primary focus right now is not the magnitude of current profits, but rather how much longer the memory semiconductor supercycle can sustain itself.

— , CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of memory

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re-collecting

recollection

recollections

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Style

“Recollection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recollection. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of recollection

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