collecting

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

Relevance
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

4
5

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
  • Officials provided no information on crews’ progress in containing the blaze.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
  • New analysis published today by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) reveals there are over 621 trillion miles of fungal pathways containing around 300 megatons of carbon within Earth’s topsoils.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • The hard part for retirees—accumulating the savings—has already been accomplished.
    Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Old and Unused Hairbrushes Got an old hairbrush that's either accumulating dust from not being utilized or one that has been brushed through your hair about a million times?
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The pair are compiling a survey of the aquatic bugs in the reemerging canyons and how those underwater worlds are changing as time passes.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
  • Askren retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 after compiling a 19-2 record, with both losses coming in his three UFC fights.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Weather also influences how much local governments will dig into tax revenues to shield us, including building stronger infrastructure to better direct the flow of stormwater, assembling emergency management teams and equipment, and organizing shelters.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • Inside the box, everything is clearly labeled, which is important, as assembling the Snapmaker is a bit more involved than other closed-frame consumer models.
    Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 10 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
  • 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
  • The magic behind the work of Rick Dick, who is from Maremma, a rural area in Tuscany, and is in his forties, is the synergy between his skill for composing an image and his savviness for identifying the right moment.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • But despite amassing a customer base, the fervor wasn’t enough to sway her towards baking as a full-time career.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 7 June 2026
  • Andrews has built a career as a professional runner and mountaineer, amassing more than 100 world records across mountains, roads and trails.
    Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The East Ridge rookie shook his man behind the net, battled through converging players to curl out front and scored at the far post.
    Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026
  • Taken together, these seven projects show that the future of flight is not a single silver bullet, but a portfolio of electric, hybrid, hydrogen, and radically aerodynamic designs converging on the same goal – drastically lower emissions and noise without giving up speed or range.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on collecting

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster