Synonyms of collect

collect 1 of 2

verb

kə-ˈlekt 

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

• contain
• compose
• calm
• control
• restrain
• re-collect
• settle
• recover
• hold back
• rally
• still
• lull
• soothe
• quiet
• tranquilize

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

• accumulate
• gather
• amass
• concentrate
• pile (up)
• build up
• conglomerate
• stack (up)
• accrete
• mass
• drift
• lump
• ridge
• clump
• agglutinate
• bank

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• scatter
• dissipate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compile
• gather
• anthologize
• assemble
• edit
• revise
• accumulate
• amass
• collate
• rework
• group
• redraft
• revamp
• redact
• reedit
• recompile

4

as in to gather

to bring together in one body or place

she collects antique silverware

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gather
• assemble
• amass
• accumulate
• garner
• corral
• combine
• group
• join
• pack
• concentrate
• congregate
• lump
• get together
• round up
• bulk (up)
• organize
• pick up
• constellate
• arrange
• unite
• pile
• stack
• raise
• muster
• ball
• compile
• bunch
• batch
• connect
• merge
• collate
• rally
• heap
• flock
• cluster
• herd
• systematize
• huddle
• link
• swarm
• band
• regroup
• pool
• archive
• hive
• press
• throng
• re-collect
• brigade
• scrape (up or together)
• regather

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• scatter
• dispel
• dissipate
• send
• separate
• dissolve
• split (up)
• sever
• break up
• dismiss
• disintegrate
• disband

5

as in to meet

to come together into one body or place

a crowd collected at the beach as the sun slowly set over the horizon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gather
• meet
• converge
• assemble
• rendezvous
• convene
• congregate
• join
• get together
• concentrate
• merge
• conglomerate
• cluster
• cooperate
• consolidate
• collaborate
• forgather
• concenter
• couple
• unite
• affiliate
• club
• confederate
• associate
• reassemble
• band (together)
• federate
• ally
• reconvene
• consort
• gang up
• conjoin
• caucus
• regather
• remeet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• split (up)
• leave
• disband
• break up
• depart
• take off
• dissociate
• disunite
• disjoin

collect

2 of 2

noun

as in invocation

Related Words

• invocation
• thanksgiving
• grace
• prayer
• litany
• soliciting
• request
• begging
• requiescat
• petition
• orison
• appeal
• pleading
• vespers
• suit
• imploring
• matins
• entreaty
• supplication
• beseeching
• evensong

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

Recent Examples of collect

Verb

At his Zurich Golden Eye ceremony Saturday night, Turturro collected the award and quoted Italian novelist Cesare Pavese. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026

On a fourth-and-3 conversion attempt, Young was flushed from the pocket but couldn’t elude Browns pass rusher Mason Graham, who collected him for a sack. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026

Noun

The stickers come in packs that contain seven to eight stickers with different images to trade and collect. — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026

The ideal gig worker collects, organizes, analyzes and interprets large datasets while identifying trends, patterns and opportunities for growth. — Bybryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 12 May 2026