collect 1 of 2

1
as in to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of applicants should collect their thoughts while waiting to be interviewed

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2
as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass dust has been collecting under my bed for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to compile
to bring together from several sources into a single volume or list collected the author's early short stories, which were originally published in several obscure sci-fi magazines

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4
5

collect

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb collect differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of collect are assemble, congregate, and gather. While all these words mean "to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit," collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

When can assemble be used instead of collect?

The synonyms assemble and collect are sometimes interchangeable, but assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

Where would congregate be a reasonable alternative to collect?

In some situations, the words congregate and collect are roughly equivalent. However, congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

When might gather be a better fit than collect?

Although the words gather and collect have much in common, gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

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 collect
Verb
Make your yard less appealing by not letting stagnant water collect. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025 There are licensed versions of IPs like Star Trek and Game Of Thrones that are sought after by collects and fans of those series. Rob Wieland, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
The purpose of the road trip is to provide local manufacturers with information on government resources and collect feedback from various industry workers. Cooper Gant, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025 Create rules for parameter data collected that indicate impending faults or failures. Ed Garibian, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for collect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collect
Verb
  • The Senate bill containing President Trump's domestic policy agenda at the last minute eliminated a new excise tax that would have hammered the renewable energy industry, a move that likely ensured Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska would back the measure.
    Tracy J. Wholf July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2025
  • As of Monday evening, the fire crew effectively contained 65% of the wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Since founding his hugely successful e-commerce company Amazon in 1994, Jeff Bezos has accumulated a net worth that warrants his title as the third richest man on the planet.
    Diane J. Cho, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Dryer vents tend to gradually accumulate hair, dust, and lint during normal operation.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Before the attacks, Boelter compiled a list of mostly Democratic state lawmakers and their addresses, disguised his SUV to look like a police squad car, and purchased a silicone mask and a cache of weapons, according to the affidavit.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • In March, Miami-Dade County commissioners delayed choosing a site for an incinerator and approved compiling a report on a range of options for trash disposal, including zero-waste initiatives and landfilling.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Pam’s family and friends gathered in the courthouse in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside Boulder in April of 2019.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Times pop music critic Mikael Wood and staff writer August Brown gathered to discuss the box set and what to make of its bounty.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Your ability to meet others halfway will create partnerships that improve your life and finances for the long haul!
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • After completing the first big area of the game and meeting a giant god-like ape that resembles a headphone-wearing homage to The Jungle Book’s King Louie, a musical sequence shatters the stone revealing it to be a young girl named Pauline.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The rulings centered on Trump's unprecedented invocation of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act as a legal justification for levies.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 June 2025
  • Many people have been deported as a result of Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which grants the president authority to deport noncitizens without appearing before a judge, among other wartime authorities.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, which is composed almost entirely of aluminum oxide.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Retired educators: The Retired Educators of Osceola County is composed of people who are retired from the field of education from anywhere in the country.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • This starts with senior leaders establishing a cohesive business-technology plan, and assembling the right team to manage the changes.
    Wolfgang Sixl, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Each garment piece is dyed and washed with a tie-dye effect before being assembled, creating a one-of-a-kind look when combined with other pieces.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collect. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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