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

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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

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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 Its narrative takes the form of travel writing mixed with other reminiscences and interviews. — Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026 Although her image would become an archetype of maternal worry and suffering, Thompson was not referenced by name in Lange’s reminiscences because the photographer never knew her identity. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 Over 2,600 donors contributed to the effort, and many of those benefactors flooded the comment section of the GoFundMe to share warm reminiscences and encouraging words for Finch. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 Ironically, this reminiscence preceded my viewing of Remarkably Bright Creatures, the recent Netflix release that seeks to inaugurate a new, regrettable phase in Field’s five-decade-long movie career. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminiscence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminiscence

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

Noun

In one of the film’s pivotal sequences, Fielder stages a reenactment, based on his recollections, of a meeting with Evans, Holmes, Oppenheim and two A24 executives.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
The corresponding figures for 2025 were 23 percent and 21 percent, based on respondents’ recollections rather than a separate survey conducted last year.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of recollection

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“Reminiscence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reminiscence. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reminiscence

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