reminisce

verb

Definition of reminiscenext
1
as in to remember

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in to ponder

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word reminisce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of reminisce are recall, recollect, remember, and remind. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

In what contexts can recall take the place of reminisce?

The words recall and reminisce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

Where would recollect be a reasonable alternative to reminisce?

The synonyms recollect and reminisce are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 reminisce?

While in some cases nearly identical to reminisce, remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When is remind a more appropriate choice than reminisce?

In some situations, the words remind and reminisce are roughly equivalent. However, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

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 reminisce Ahead of her opening night performance, The Enquirer sat down with Siegel to reminisce on all things Cincinnati, the UC Bearcats (her alma mater) and Taylor Swift. 'On tour, I'm known as Mary from Cincinnati' Siegel is a Cincinnati girl through and through. —Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Pearl teammates William Whitaker, Howard Gentry, Larry Wilhoite, Walter Overton, Sonny Lyons, David Campbell, Porter Williams and Doris Armstrong huddled at Swett’s Restaurant to reminisce together. —Tyler Palmateer, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Perry last played metro Phoenix in 2018 when Witness: The Tour hit Glendale for a night at what's now called Desert Diamond Arena, where the singer reminisced about her childhood in the Valley. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 Grohl’s lengthy statement reminisces about encountering Nate Mendel for the first time on Thanksgiving in 1994, and how that chance meeting resulted in the birth of the Foo Fighters. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for reminisce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminisce
  1. remember
  2. ponder
  3. recall
  4. ruminate
  5. recollect
  6. contemplate
  7. analyze
  8. explore
Verb
  • He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 July 2025
  • And remember to tap into any loyal summer camp alumni (often a lifetime legacy).
    — Jill Tipograph, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of remember
Verb
  • The Rafael Devers blockbuster is probably the biggest deal that will go down, but the temptation is there to ponder other earthshaking possibilities, no matter how remote.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Viewing the team’s three-year stint here as an audition of sorts, officials have pondered if the local enthusiasm for baseball could help prove the Sacramento region as a welcome home for MLB.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Millions of hoses are being recalled across the country after hundreds have ruptured during use, causing nearly 30 injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
    — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025
  • Several years had gone by and Huff was unable to recall any of their identities from memory except one.
    — Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
Definition of recall
Verb
  • Humanity And The Future A final thought to ruminate on.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • So a whole life, just waiting on death, ruminating on it, anticipating it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2025
Definition of ruminate
Verb
  • During an interview with PEOPLE, the Dawson’s Creek alum recollects his childhood memories of drinking sodas after hockey practice with his friends, Dr. Pepper being his go-to choice, and how those traditions have carried into his adulthood.
    — Moná Thomas, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Wright was speaking at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival and recollected her battle for equal pay on the Netflix hit.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Definition of recollect
Verb
  • Based on historical probabilities, traders may contemplate taking a position prior to the earnings announcement.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Don't forget outlier contests and Harris' possible return in California One feature of the 2026 gubernatorial races could be the return of Kamala Harris to the national stage, as the former vice president continues to contemplate a run for California governor.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 July 2025
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • Stay tuned for the report this fall, which will present and analyze the survey results.
    — SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 25 July 2025
  • The goal, according to the FBI, is to analyze and compare which devices were within the coverage area during specific windows of time on the nights of the attacks and surrounding dates, as well as any devices that follow suspicious patterns.
    — Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • Netflix also continues to explore nonfiction with a three-part docuseries centered on Colombian football star James Rodríguez.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2025
  • Both Carol and Leanne get love interests who are abruptly introduced, devices like ‘80s flashbacks are used sporadically before fading away and marginal characters like Bill’s other woman and Josie leave much to be explored.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 31 July 2025
Definition of explore

Browse Nearby Words

reminds
reminisce
reminisce (about)
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Cite this Entry

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

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