reminisce

verb

Definition of reminiscenext
1
as in to remember

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ponder

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Former colleagues Ted and Rick met up at a restaurant to drink their sorrows away — Rick, especially, hit the booze hard — and to reminisce about their client/friend. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025 Green reminisced about how Acosta, a former teacher, would tell Green about a book to pique her interest in reading. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2025 In an interview with Rolling Stone, Kilmer’s Tombstone co-star Kurt Russell reminisced about their time on set together. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025 Plenty of fellow millennials shared similar memories and reminisced about simpler times. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 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 to order a half-size up for the best possible fit.
    — Nina Derwin, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
  • People remember kindness, and opportunities can come from anywhere. 5.
    — Sam Dogen, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of remember
Verb
  • Once the news of her pending nuptials to ex-professional snowboarder Shaun White hit, inquiring minds were quick to ponder what her bridal beauty prep and wedding makeup looks might entail.
    — Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Exploring themes of empty consumerism, social isolation, and toxic masculinity before that phrase entered the cultural lexicon, American Psycho gives the audience a lot to ponder in addition to operating as an entertaining horror film.
    — Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of ponder
Verb
  • Andor star Diego Luna recently recalled that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) director Gareth Edwards originally pitched him on the film by comparing his vision to Cuarón’s Y tu mamá también (2001), which starred a young Luna.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Speaking with Variety ahead of the world premiere, Miller recalls always having had an interest in tornadoes, thanks to growing up in a region of Oklahoma often affected by the storms.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of recall
Verb
  • For these individuals, the mind — either slowly or immediately — transitions from ruminating the past to engaging in activities that help rebuild their life.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Still ruminating on Luka Dončić’s return to Dallas, where Marcus Thompson II wrote that some things in the NBA are worth more than titles.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of ruminate
Verb
  • Palmer and Hosie can recollect that previous era when Ferguson and McLean sent shockwaves through the country.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The harsh band meeting – set up with Hoffs, Steele, managers and press agents – that cemented their demise is painstakingly recollected in the book as more of an ambush of the Petersons.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of recollect
Verb
  • While contemplating his former love and his future as a father, Massey conjures up the apparition of his beloved Catherine.
    — Claire Franken, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Boasberg has been contemplating whether to hold any administration officials in contempt of court for ignoring his orders last month to turn around planes that were carrying the deportees to El Salvador.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of contemplate
Verb
  • The research consortium has data from tissue samples that represents a resource the field has never had—and that is yet to be fully analyzed.
    — Atul Gawande, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • His internet history was equally troubling, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which analyzed screenshots of his gaming accounts that contained Nazi and Hitler references.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • In his books, Harris explores several subjects that can benefit everyone from entrepreneurs to world leaders.
    — Ethan Stone, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • By staying informed and adaptable, banks can responsibly explore stablecoin applications, positioning themselves for longer-term relevance and success in an increasingly digital financial world.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 2025.

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