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

Chase said the acquisition marked an expansion of the library’s collecting interests beyond its millions of rare books, manuscripts and historical items spanning from the 11th through the 21st centuries. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Sunil Pandey Speaking with NBC News in Pokhara, Nabin Karki, a superintendent of police, said authorities were collecting DNA samples and displaying photos of the bodies found in hopes that family members might be able to identify them. — Surendra Phuyal, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

The strange experience of collecting mulberry leaves reminds me of the sudden happiness that a pack of sweets brought to me as a child. — Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Was Zeuxis’s imitation in this instance a case of gathering (breaking up the models, then collecting and aggregating pieces) or a case of transformation (merging and blending some parts or traits into a smooth and seamless new whole)? — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026

Seoul, in its response, also downplayed the 625 billion won, or $409 million, fine the government levied on Coupang in June for the breach and for allegedly illegally collecting personal information. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

When Social Security began paying benefits, there were roughly 40 workers for every retiree collecting them, according to Mercatus Center data. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Some opponents of the bill are worried about the idea of the state collecting such data given the traumatic history of the Nazi government keeping records of Jews during the Holocaust. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

After a 100-day commissioning period to reach its L2 Lagrange point, Roman will begin its five-year mission, collecting 20 petabytes of data. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026