recall 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
Definition of recallnext
1
as in to remember
to bring back to mind I don't recall meeting you before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cancel
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) I'll recall my purchase order if the company refuses to guarantee that it'll arrive before Christmas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recall

2 of 2

noun

ri-ˈkȯl How to pronounce recall (audio)
1
as in recollection
a particular act or instance of recalling or the thing remembered his recall of the events of that turbulent time is significantly different from the accounts of other eyewitnesses

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in cancelation
the act of putting an end to something planned or previously agreed to we can't get a refund on the plane tickets, so the trip is beyond recall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recall distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of recall are recollect, remember, remind, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

In what contexts can recollect take the place of recall?

The words recollect and recall are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 recall?

The meanings of remember and recall largely overlap; however, remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

When is it sensible to use remind instead of recall?

Although the words remind and recall have much in common, remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

When could reminisce be used to replace recall?

While in some cases nearly identical to recall, reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

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 recall
Verb
Similarly, Kim Kiyosaki, an entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Rich Dad Company, recalled being fired from her first job at an ad agency. —Jaime Catmull, Contributor, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025 Telgemeier recalls her own experience of sharing her vulnerable autobiographical comics with people for the first time. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
That’s in the FDA’s Enforcement Report on the March 21 recall of 75 mg strength Venlafaxine by Zydus Pharmaceuticals, a recall that covers 13,128 bottles. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 The recall covers two products, its 6.35 oz Dark Almond Sea Salt bar and the company's 6.35 oz Everything Bar, which is a milk chocolate bar with caramel, pretzel, almond nougat and sea salt. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recall
  1. remember
  2. cancel
  3. recollection
  4. abandon
  5. memory
  6. cancellation
  7. scrap
  8. revoke
Verb
  • On eBay right now, the phablet (remember that phrase?) is selling for a rough average of $250.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The actor remembered goofing around on set between takes, with Kilmer using a personal video camera to make a personal record.
    — Caroline Frost, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of remember
Verb
  • Universal was fined $1.3 million by state regulators in 2013 for canceling customers’ policies without justification and shifting profits to affiliate companies.
    — Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • About 1,200 jobs are expected to be cut at NIH as part of the layoffs at the Health and Human Services Department, and the administration also has canceled hundreds of NIH grants to scientists around the country.
    — Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of cancel
Noun
  • After maybe a 10-pitch at-bat, Mountcastle smoked a ball to right center, and this is where their recollections of the story separate.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The homestand has been rife with recollections of the Dodgers’ 2024 success, from Hollywood-esque entrances to a ring ceremony.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of recollection
Verb
  • Heading them is none other than Robert Keller, who wasn’t killed after all, and now blames his big bro for abandoning him.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The Indonesian government was floating a moratorium to stop the construction of new hotels, villas and nightclubs in Bali, in an effort to curb over tourism—an idea that was abandoned at the start of the year.
    — Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of abandon
Noun
  • Shaiman and Wittman’s score is, hands down, among of the best musical theater creations in recent memory.
    — Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Everyone had memories of fun (or just plain weird) interactions with Bill Murray.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of memory
Noun
  • Be flexible with plans: Be patient and accept that last-minute cancellations may happen due to unpredictable flare-ups.
    — Robert Burakoff, Health, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Start with the AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, which nail noise cancellation and sync with your iPhone, for 20% off!
    — Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of cancellation
Verb
  • January/February’s installment was also scrapped for financial reasons (though the Los Angeles wildfires would have canceled the tour anyway).
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The bill passed in the Senate last session and was included in an original continuing resolution in the House but was scrapped during negotiations.
    — Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of scrap
Verb
  • His parole was revoked, and he was returned to prison.
    — Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
  • But weeks into office, Noem revoked the TPS extension for a large group of Venezuelans on Feb. 3, effective April 7.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of revoke

Browse Nearby Words

recalculating
recall
recalled
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Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on recall

Nglish: Translation of recall for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about recall

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