REMINISCENCE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'reminiscence' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of reminiscence are memory , recollection , and remembrance . While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past. // my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

Q: In what contexts can 'memory' take the place of 'reminiscence'?

While the synonyms memory and reminiscence are close in meaning, 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

Q: When would 'recollection' be a good substitute for 'reminiscence'?

Although the words recollection and reminiscence have much in common, recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort. // after a moment's recollection he produced the name

Q: Where would 'remembrance' be a reasonable alternative to 'reminiscence'?

The meanings of remembrance and reminiscence largely overlap; however, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered. // any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

reminiscence

noun

ˌre-mə-ˈni-sᵊn(t)s

Definition of reminiscence

as in memory

a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered his reminiscences about the war were painful to hear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in recollection

the power or process of recalling what has been previously learned or experienced we wondered whether she could trust her reminiscence of events that happened so long ago

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How is the word reminiscence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of reminiscence are memory, recollection, and remembrance. While all these words mean "the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered," reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

In what contexts can memory take the place of reminiscence?

While the synonyms memory and reminiscence are close in meaning, 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 would recollection be a good substitute for reminiscence?

Although the words recollection and reminiscence have much in common, 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 remembrance be a reasonable alternative to reminiscence?

The meanings of remembrance and reminiscence largely overlap; however, remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

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 reminiscence Over 2,600 donors contributed to the effort, and many of those benefactors flooded the comment section of the GoFundMe to share warm reminiscences and encouraging words for Finch. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 Ironically, this reminiscence preceded my viewing of Remarkably Bright Creatures, the recent Netflix release that seeks to inaugurate a new, regrettable phase in Field’s five-decade-long movie career. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026 Aiding him in all this robust reminiscence is his co-producer on all the tracks and co-writer on about half of them, Andrew Watt, classic rock’s biggest modern cheerleader. — Chris Willman, Variety, 23 May 2026 The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder. — Literary Hub, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reminiscence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reminiscence

Noun

This includes memory rules and separation from information belonging to other agents, customers or organizations.

— Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
This is the same trip, the same memory, but a different chapter.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of memory

Noun

Marazzi and co-screenwriter Valia Santella ground their non-linear narrative by using the date of July 14, 1937 as a jumping-off point to move backwards and forwards in time through the recollections and point of view of the title character.

— Alissa Simon, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
SiriusXM launched a dedicated Dolly Parton Tribute Channel (105) built around her music and related artists and collaborators, augmented by listener recollections.

— Russ Penuell, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of recollection

Cite this Entry

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“Reminiscence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reminiscence. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reminiscence

noun

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