1
as in memory
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered a happy couple with many fond remembrances of when they were dating in college

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2
as in reminder
something that serves to keep alive the memory of a person or event she gave her boyfriend on the eve of his military service one of her lockets as a remembrance of their abiding affection

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3

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How is the word remembrance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of remembrance are memory, recollection, and reminiscence. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

In what contexts can memory take the place of remembrance?

While in some cases nearly identical to remembrance, 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 is recollection a more appropriate choice than remembrance?

The meanings of recollection and remembrance largely overlap; however, 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 reminiscence be a reasonable alternative to remembrance?

The synonyms reminiscence and remembrance are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 remembrance What was mostly intended to be a technical analysis from the 29-year-old player turned into a moment of remembrance of very difficult times. Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 The founders, with more than a century of combined service, say the project began as a personal act of remembrance. Rachel King, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 In addition to the traditional remembrances, the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall will be on display at Waterfront Park beginning on May 24. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 May 2025 In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, students at the dance school wore purple ribbons in remembrance of Cara. Don Riddell, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for remembrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for remembrance
Noun
  • For the Burdine brothers, that journey has been shared from day one, doubling the memories, the milestones, and the meaning.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025
  • Pictures, video and memories of the South Florida storm.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • But the Thunder’s utter dismantling of the Wolves in five games should serve as a reminder of the two-way wrecking ball that this team is.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 1 June 2025
  • The Seven of Pentacles is a gentle reminder that great things take time.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Carter’s recollection of how much Dunne wanted to be on television, and how much John Dunne hated his brother’s fame once Dominick came back from failure and addiction to achieve fame as a writer, is fascinating.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Indeed, when the Thirteenth Doctor meets the Fugitive Doctor for the first time, both are confused because neither has any recollection of the other.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Survivors include his partner of 43 years, Timothy; sisters Linda and Patricia; niece Shelby; and nephews Jeff and Sean. A graveside service and memorial is set for June 20 in Flint, Michigan, with an additional life celebration to be held layer in the Los Angeles area.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
  • One of my passion projects were two huge carvings: one of a rhino carved with blue-and-white china patterns, bringing into conversation the heartbreaking trade of rhino horn to China, and a whale work carved of flowers, a memorial to our dying oceans.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Remembrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remembrance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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