Recall — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ri-ˈkȯl/ re·call

Meaning & Definition of Recall

Recall (verb)

  1. cancel, revoke
  2. to call back
  3. to bring back to mind

Recall (noun)

  1. a call to return
  2. the right or procedure by which an official may be removed by vote of the people
  3. remembrance of what has been learned or experienced

Recall (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring back to mind

    "I don't recall meeting you before"

    similar: flash back (to), hark back (to), harken back (to), hearken back (to), mind (chiefly dialect), recollect, remember, reminisce (about), reproduce, think (of)
    related: recapture, recur, educe, elicit, evoke, extract, raise, remind, relive, represent
    opposite: disremember, forget, unlearn
    near: misremember, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, lose, miss, blank (out)

  2. 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"

    similar: abandon, abort, call, call off, cancel, cry off, drop, repeal, rescind, revoke, scrap, scrub
    related: abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off, recant, retract, take back, withdraw, countermand, reverse, roll back, break off, discontinue, end, halt, stop, terminate, hold back, interrupt, suspend, give up, relinquish, surrender
    opposite: continue, keep
    near: engage, pledge, promise, begin, commence, initiate, start, take on, take up, undertake

Recall (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: anamnesis, memory, recollection, remembrance, reminiscence
    related: flashback, memento, memorial, reminder, souvenir, token, association

  2. 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"

    similar: abandonment, abortion, calling, calling off, cancellation, dropping, recision, repeal, rescission, revocation
    related: annulment, invalidation, neutralization, nullification, voidance, abolishment, abolition, ending, halting, stopping, termination, giving up, relinquishment, surrender, reversal, rollback
    opposite: continuation
    near: beginning, commencement, initiation, engagement, undertaking

Related Entry: Total recall (noun)

Total recall is a different word from Recall. The synonyms below are for total recall, not for recall.

  1. as in hypermnesia

    similar: hypermnesia, memory, mind, recollection, remembrance, reminiscence, contemplation, meditation, musing, reflection, retrospection, thinking, awareness, cognizance, consciousness, apprehension, comprehension, grasp, grip, perception, understanding
    opposite: amnesia, repression, forgetfulness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Recall

The most common words with a similar meaning to Recall:

Chiefly dialect: mind
flash back (to), hark back (to), harken back (to), hearken back (to), recollect, remember, reminisce (about), reproduce, think (of), abandon, abort, call, call off, cancel, cry off, drop, repeal, rescind, revoke, scrap, scrub, anamnesis, memory, recollection, remembrance, reminiscence, abandonment, abortion, calling, calling off, cancellation, dropping, recision, rescission, revocation

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Recall

Words with the opposite meaning of Recall:

disremember, forget, unlearn, continue, keep, continuation

Related Words for Recall

recapture, recur, educe, elicit, evoke, extract, raise, remind, relive, represent, abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off, recant, retract, take back, withdraw, countermand, reverse, roll back, break off, discontinue, end, halt, stop, terminate, hold back

Near Antonyms of Recall

misremember, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, lose, miss, blank (out), engage, pledge, promise, begin, commence, initiate, start, take on, take up, undertake, beginning, commencement, initiation, engagement, undertaking

Word Forms of Recall

Inflections: recalled, recalling, recalls

Derived words: recallability (noun), recallable (adjective), recaller (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Recall

First known use: 1565

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Recall

Words & Phrases Containing Recall

total recall, beyond recall

Frequently Asked Questions about Recall

What does "Recall" mean?

"Recall" means cancel, revoke. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: cancel, revoke. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Recall"?

Other words for "Recall" include flash back (to), hark back (to), harken back (to), hearken back (to), mind, recollect, remember and reminisce (about). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Recall" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Recall"?

There are 93 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Recall". Common alternatives include flash back (to), hark back (to), harken back (to), hearken back (to), mind, recollect, remember, reminisce (about), reproduce and think (of).

What is the opposite of "Recall"?

Antonyms of "Recall" include disremember, forget, unlearn, continue, keep and continuation. Near antonyms include misremember, disregard, ignore and neglect.

How do you use "Recall" in a sentence?

Examples of "Recall" in a sentence: "I don't recall meeting you before"; "I'll recall my purchase order if the company refuses to guarantee that it'll arrive before Christmas"; "his recall of the events of that turbulent time is significantly different from the accounts of other eyewitnesses".

Is "Recall" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Recall" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Recall" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Recall" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Recall"?

"Recall" is pronounced /ri-ˈkȯl/ and divided into syllables as re·call.