1
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of
applicants should collect their thoughts while waiting to be interviewed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
4
as in assembling
to bring together in one body or place
she collects antique silverware
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 collecting
Designing your kitchen is a challenging process that can lead to costly mistakes, inefficient layouts, trendy finishes that date quickly, and extra fixtures that end up collecting dust.
—
Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
The investigation is 'ongoing' Both the FDA and CDC have classified their investigation as ongoing after collecting leftover formula in the affected states.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 15 June 2026
Researchers explored the remains during multiple deep-sea submersible trips in 2023, collecting samples and mapping the extent of the necropolis.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
The researchers explored how to grow grass in indoor stadiums that lack plant-sustaining sunlight, collecting data in a shade structure FIFA constructed at the University of Tennessee to replicate conditions of a domed stadium.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Animal oceanographers have been around for decades, collecting data used to look for changes in migration or reproduction in animals as the planet warms.
—Jenny Staletovich, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Generations of fans have spent hours — and a lot of money — collecting stickers of players to fill the iconic books made by the Italian brand, whose contract will be taken over by Fanatics.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The May nonfarm payrolls report told us that folks are still working and collecting paychecks.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,zev Fima, CNBC, 14 June 2026
The sites handle marketing and collecting payment for a portion of the rental proceeds.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
The investigation is 'ongoing' Both the FDA and CDC have classified their investigation as ongoing after collecting leftover formula in the affected states.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 15 June 2026
Researchers explored the remains during multiple deep-sea submersible trips in 2023, collecting samples and mapping the extent of the necropolis.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
The researchers explored how to grow grass in indoor stadiums that lack plant-sustaining sunlight, collecting data in a shade structure FIFA constructed at the University of Tennessee to replicate conditions of a domed stadium.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Animal oceanographers have been around for decades, collecting data used to look for changes in migration or reproduction in animals as the planet warms.
—Jenny Staletovich, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Generations of fans have spent hours — and a lot of money — collecting stickers of players to fill the iconic books made by the Italian brand, whose contract will be taken over by Fanatics.
—Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The May nonfarm payrolls report told us that folks are still working and collecting paychecks.
—Kevin Stankiewicz,zev Fima, CNBC, 14 June 2026
The sites handle marketing and collecting payment for a portion of the rental proceeds.
—Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
-
Now Yan and his colleagues have developed an acoustic synapse containing multiple phi-bits.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 June 2026
-
Evidence Of Ancient Solstice Ceremonies The excavations at Bulford revealed 48 pits containing pottery, animal bone, worked flints and charcoal.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Less than 60 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, stress has been accumulating for more than a century along the southern San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems.—
Kasha Patel,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
-
The infrastructure gap, however, is already accumulating.—
Piyush Patel,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
As well as compiling a risk profile of an area, the WHO said the platform includes a chatbot for health officials to question data in plain language.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
-
Mindstate started by compiling a large database of more than 70,000 trip reports.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Once that hurdle is cleared, Vertical Aerospace will begin assembling its first pre-production aircraft.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 21,
New Atlas,
21 June 2026
-
Sourcing materials and assembling battery packs near Elysian’s operational facilities is intended to shorten international shipping distances.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Contingency lane closure, as needed, would see Miami police temporarily close the northbound right lane on Biscayne Boulevard directly in front of the park to improve crowd circulation, and enhance safety conditions near event entrances and gathering areas.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
-
Born in 1980s Hollywood as gathering spaces for new immigrants, these halls evolved into cultural centers.—
Ani Duzdabanyan,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
That provided a unique challenge for its composing team, Kris Bowers and Michael Dean Parsons.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
The consequences are showing up in classrooms, on college campuses, and increasingly in entry-level workplaces, where managers report that young hires struggle with everything from making eye contact during a conversation to composing a coherent professional email.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Antar gained fame on social media in the region for his feats, amassing almost 60,000 followers on Instagram after posting videos of himself climbing some of Yemen's rugged landscapes.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
His career included directing 30 music videos and amassing a large TikTok following, recognized for his unique fashion and stage persona.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The leading silicon and system software companies are converging on practical edge platforms capable of running autonomous agents safely, predictably and at scale across homes, workplaces and industrial systems.—
Bill Curtis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Next came figuring out how to adjust the entire travel itinerary to accommodate three generations of family members, all converging from different corners of the globe.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
