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
Adriana Jasso, who coordinates the U.S.-Mexico program for the Service Committee, recalled that hectic time and the group’s aid effort. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025 Over 212,000 pounds of liquid egg products that may contain a cleaning solution with sodium hypochlorite are being recalled nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Friday. —Maureen MacKey, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
According to the report, the recall was because of a mislabeling issue. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 This market melted down in 2001 as the private merchant generators withheld power, skyrocketing prices amid rolling blackouts and leading to the 2003 recall of Gov. Gray Davis. —Tom Philp, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 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
  • Answer: Many residents also remember spring azalea sales at nurseries and parking lots offered by garden clubs and a number of societies.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
  • My spouse, an only child, remembers figuring out how to play catch by himself in the backyard.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of remember
Verb
  • Streaming series, which represents a larger share of TV viewing, aren't included in the survey because they are renewed or canceled throughout the year.
    — Gary Levin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Canada's Department of National Defence told Newsweek that the program is not canceled and remains in early review stages.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  • Iran later abandoned provisions of the JCPOA and forged ahead with its nuclear program.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The administration’s decision to abandon plans to move D.C.’s elite fighter jet squadron to Maryland comes months after the state’s congressional delegation and Gov. Wes Moore (D) worked to secure the planes to prevent the state from losing its flying mission.
    — Meagan Flynn, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 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
  • Trump's executive order would revoke citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to undocumented immigrants or individuals with temporary immigration status.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recall. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on recall

Nglish: Translation of recall for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about recall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All