Synonyms of collecting

collecting

verb

present participle of collect

1

as in containing

to gain emotional or mental control of

applicants should collect their thoughts while waiting to be interviewed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• containing
• composing
• calming
• controlling
• restraining
• re-collecting
• settling
• recovering
• holding back
• rallying
• soothing
• stilling
• tranquilizing
• lulling
• quieting

2

as in accumulating

to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass

dust has been collecting under my bed for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accumulating
• gathering
• amassing
• concentrating
• accreting
• piling (up)
• massing
• stacking (up)
• conglomerating
• building up
• drifting
• lumping
• clumping
• agglutinating
• banking
• ridging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• scattering
• dispersing
• dissipating

3

as in compiling

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

• compiling
• anthologizing
• assembling
• gathering
• editing
• accumulating
• revising
• amassing
• collating
• grouping
• reworking
• redrafting
• revamping
• redacting
• reediting
• recompiling

4

as in assembling

to bring together in one body or place

she collects antique silverware

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assembling
• gathering
• amassing
• accumulating
• corralling
• grouping
• garnering
• combining
• packing
• joining
• concentrating
• lumping
• congregating
• organizing
• getting together
• piling
• stacking
• arranging
• compiling
• rounding up
• bulking (up)
• constellating
• uniting
• raising
• connecting
• mustering
• picking up
• merging
• collating
• rallying
• linking
• pooling
• balling
• clustering
• huddling
• batching
• swarming
• bunching
• banding
• herding
• flocking
• heaping
• systematizing
• archiving
• regrouping
• pressing
• hiving
• thronging
• brigading
• re-collecting
• scraping (up or together)
• regathering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dispersing
• scattering
• separating
• dissipating
• sending
• dissolving
• disintegrating
• dispelling
• splitting (up)
• severing
• dismissing
• breaking up
• disbanding

5

as in gathering

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

• gathering
• assembling
• converging
• meeting
• convening
• joining
• rendezvousing
• concentrating
• congregating
• clustering
• merging
• getting together
• cooperating
• conglomerating
• consolidating
• collaborating
• forgathering
• concentering
• affiliating
• coupling
• uniting
• associating
• clubbing
• allying
• reassembling
• consorting
• federating
• banding (together)
• conjoining
• ganging up
• confederating
• caucusing
• reconvening
• remeeting
• regathering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dispersing
• leaving
• splitting (up)
• disbanding
• breaking up
• departing
• taking off
• dissociating
• disjoining
• disuniting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of collecting

The government shutdown last year prevented the bureau from collecting sufficient data in October 2025, so there is no comparable figure to use. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

Each item costs less than $200, and with the holidays coming—with endless-feeling opportunities for hosting and gifting—now is a great time to start collecting. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026

The brewpub is also collecting nonperishable food items, toiletries and other essential household items to be given to local food pantries. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

No year-over-year inflation figure was available because last year’s government shutdown prevented the BLS from collecting most of the price data needed to make the comparison. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said the court order will prohibit Home Saver 911 LLC from enforcing any contracts or collecting payments connected with its services in Georgia. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Consumers filing suit in that case accuse UPS of collecting the IEEPA charges and failing to reimburse them. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

Henderson said families may be better off collecting flexible bank points, which can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel programs. — Amanda Smith, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026

Each county is responsible for collecting and counting ballots on election night and in the following weeks. — Data, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026