reminisce

verb

Definition of reminiscenext
1
as in to remember

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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 Larry Collins still smiles when reminiscing about the long, peeling waves that would show up during south swells in summer months at his favorite surf break, Killer Dana. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2025 Kevin and Auggie, mistaking Chris for their dimension’s Chris, sit down with him for a drink and begin to reminisce. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 22 Aug. 2025 But why reassemble at least part of the group now, other than to reminisce about old times? —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Catch up with old friends and reminisce about the good ol’ days. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 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
  • Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Because, remember, the people power is the ultimate power.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of remember
Verb
  • As Mary’s family attempts to rally around the Downton heiress, Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) are navigating their way through more financial strife, with those downstairs also left to ponder what the future holds for aristocratic homes like theirs.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Brendan McDermid | Reuters After Swedish payments group Klarna’s $17 billion initial public offering, investors are pondering which big fintech name will be the next to go public.
    — Ryan Browne, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Thousands of multivitamin bottles sold on Amazon and other websites have been recalled over a risk of serious injury or death by poisoning.
    — Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • After a goalless draw with Sunderland on Saturday, the Crystal Palace manager recalled a conversation with chairman Steve Parish, who had told him that over the years, impatience with new signings has increased.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of recall
Verb
  • The Giants have surged back into contention while avoiding the temptation to ruminate over lost opportunities.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Though his characters tend to sidestep spirituality, Wilson doesn't and is often ruminating on life, death and whatever follows.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of ruminate
Verb
  • Leonora liked to think of her life as calm of mind, all passion spent, or, more rarely, as emotion recollected in tranquillity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Definition of recollect
Verb
  • While vocal over the years about his aversion to sell, take on a business partner or publicly list the company, rumors about Armani contemplating forming a foundation first emerged in 2012.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Conducting compensation negotiations with a team is only one of relevant services contemplated by the SPAC.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • These entries, laying out a monthslong plot in excruciating detail, revealed multiple visits to Tops Friendly Markets to survey the store’s layout and analyze a Google graph feature for the location’s busiest times.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
    — Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • The video shows several angles of the teen walking in the show, which celebrated the 100th birthday of artist Robert Rauschenberg, and explored the relationship between art and fashion.
    — Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 15 Sep. 2025
  • Various previous studies have already explored DNA as a potential storage medium.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2025.

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