recollection

noun

ˌre-kə-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce recollection (audio)
Definition of recollectionnext
1
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
2
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 The astonishing nature of memory is that every recollection is a physical trace, imprinted into brain tissue by the molecular machinery of neurons. —Ajdina Halilovic, Wired News, 6 July 2025 The second day of Steven Lawson's trial included testimony about evidence and witness recollections related to Crystal Rogers' disappearance. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 This has dramatic implications for legal proceedings, the spread of misinformation and our ability to trust our own recollections. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 In touch with the album's theme of recollection, Phantogram wrote some new songs for the record from scratch, but also pulled from their ever-growing file of song ideas running throughout their career. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for recollection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recollection
memory
Noun
  • The couple, who began dating in April 2023, have frequently toasted their relationship highlights and shared milestone memories on Instagram.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Using cannabis before age 25 may also harm the developing brain, potentially affecting memory, attention, and decision-making.3 Moreover, today’s cannabis is far more potent than what older users remember, said Ziva Cooper, PhD, research director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.
    — Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
Definition of memory

Browse Nearby Words

recollecting
recollection
recollections
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recollection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recollection. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on recollection

Nglish: Translation of recollection for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All