collecting

Definition of collectingnext
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

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2
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

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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 Victor Wembanyama had a season-high 41 points and 16 rebounds while collecting the fastest double-double in NBA history, and the San Antonio Spurs won their ninth straight, defeating the Chicago Bulls 129-114 on Monday night. Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026 For example, someone who earned the maximum taxable income each year from age 22 and begins collecting in 2026 would receive roughly $4,152 per month at full retirement age. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 Detectives have continued the investigation, collecting evidence, obtaining witness statements and canvassing the area for security camera footage, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026 Construction costs fluctuate and the city is collecting sales tax below its forecasts. Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026 The senior had a strong two-way week at the plate, drove in six runs while collecting seven hits. Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 Victor Wembanyama had a season-high 41 points and 16 rebounds while collecting the fastest double-double in NBA history, and the San Antonio Spurs won their ninth straight, defeating the Chicago Bulls 129-114 on Monday night. ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026 Panels on collecting and arts institutions in the desert will feature speakers including Jenny Gil, executive director of Desert X, the biennial exhibition of large-scale artworks installed across the Coachella Valley and in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026 When Laettner made his shot in Philadelphia, sinking a turnaround shot after collecting a long baseball throw from Grant Hill, the opponent was Kentucky. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
  • Police found a small plastic bag containing crystal powder residue that officers suspected was meth or cocaine, according to an affidavit, the Los Angeles Times reported.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Workers discovered a grave containing human remains beneath tiles after part of the floor of St Peter and Paul Church subsided in February, triggering a race to identify the skeleton through DNA testing.
    Reuters, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Something else Krasley observed was that the factories didn’t embark on one gigantic, expensive retrofit, but rather took a stepwise approach to accumulating cooling improvements that was easier on their bottom lines.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Many are missing rent payments, can’t support their families and are accumulating expenses that won’t be reimbursed.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.
    Gary Trust, Billboard, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Derry was named to the first-team All-America Football Championship Subdivision team after compiling 1,123 receiving yards on 76 catches with 13 touchdowns last season.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The suspect spent weeks planning the attack, eventually assembling Molotov cocktails and conducting surveillance of Kiswani’s residence, according to federal complaint documents.
    Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • In wars lasting a month or so with relatively low casualty rates, managing massive ammunition consumption, assembling and training replacements, and renewing equipment losses during a war, not after it, are simply not issues.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The aircraft was built to fly above 70,000 feet, beyond the reach of enemy defenses, gathering intelligence in all conditions.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
  • What began as a Reddit post of two chess players searching for people and a place to play quickly snowballed into what San Diego Chess & Social is now, a gathering space for games of all kinds.
    Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The video depicted fingers on a MIDI keyboard, turning knobs, pushing buttons and supposedly composing the song in real time.
    Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.
    Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At the time of writing, her post has gone viral on Threads, amassing over 6,000 likes and shares.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Some programs have built their identity on hard coaching or amassing the most talent possible, and while Campbell isn’t soft on his players, he’s opted to create a culture of joy that’s led to TCU signing Van Lith and Miles.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas instead pointed to the converging wars and argued that assistance on one front will help the other.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • That tension has kept risk pricing unstable, with assets reacting to headlines rather than converging on a clear macro trajectory.
    Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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