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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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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
In addition to a trophy, the winner collects a A$50,000 check. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025 Of the nearly $200 billion in tariff revenue collected throughout fiscal 2025, the overwhelming majority came from the IEEPA tariffs. Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Scientists monitoring a river collect data and then have a choice about whether to act on their findings. Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025 The larvae that Bruning and Idalski collect are then sent for genetic sequencing. Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collect
Verb
  • After the players strolled onto the field through an opening in center field, rapper Ice Cube, a huge Dodger fan, drove a vintage blue Chevy convertible containing the World Series trophy.
    Steve Futterman, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
  • One officer allegedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer that were later determined to contain the remains of a female, the station reported.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Book Now Como Parrot Cay is part of Comoclub, a loyalty program that allows travelers to accumulate credits to use toward future stays.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Institutional investors like pension funds began accumulating significant amounts of shares in the 1990s and started voting to separate CEOs from board chairs.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For its 2026 trends report, Skyscanner examined which destinations saw the biggest year-over-year increase in search interest, compiling a list of the top 10 locations with the most growth.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
  • On Friday, The King Is Back, a 28-song collection of Bell’s existing recordings, will be released, compiled by Carol and Luke’s sister, Jane.
    Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • That evening, his team-mates at Bottesford gathered in their clubhouse following a 2-2 draw at home to Golcar United, where there had been a moment of reflection ahead of kick-off.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Officers also gathered at HCA-Florida Kendall Hospital.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Determined to stop the anti-imperial policies of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, British and French representatives met with Israeli officials in October 1956 to forge a secret agreement for a coordinated offensive against Egypt.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The leaders of the world's biggest economies met at the airport in Busan, an hour's drive away from the APEC host city of Gyeongju, for just an hour and 40 minutes.
    Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • On June 29, 2002, Cheney briefly assumed presidential powers while Bush underwent a medical procedure, marking a rare invocation of the 25th Amendment.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Wahhaj has appeared with several prior mayors and was the first Muslim to give the invocation in the House of Representatives.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, these rather daring verses were composed by a Hieronymite nun for her beloved vicereine, the wife of the Spanish king’s representative in New Spain.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Ahead of the planned 23 April closing, the company announced a new senior leadership team, composed of many standing Mytheresa executives that will now assume their same titles at the group level.
    Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • It is considered one of the greatest offenses ever assembled, as Durant joined forces with sharpshooters Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
    Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The city should immediately assemble a litigation team to prepare to fight the inevitable attempts by Trump to block their receipt of federal funds.
    Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collect. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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