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

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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 If spouses are collecting, married at least a year and the same age, but one spouse’s benefit is less than half the other’s, then that spouse should claim spousal benefits instead. Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025 Police learned that for at least a decade, Ed had been collecting human body parts and using them to fashion furniture, masks and even clothing around his home. Yasmeen Hamadeh, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025 During these missions, the two vehicles filmed each other underwater while collecting valuable biological and geological material from the Arctic seabed. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025 States step in and donations for some relief Several states have taken it into their own hands to see to it that their parks remain open during the federal funding spat, either directly funding the sites themselves or collecting third-party relief to help keep the doors open. Alana Wise, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025 Tyler Reddick came in sixth after collecting a stage win in AJ Allmendinger’s win two years ago, and inaugural pole-sitter Kurt Busch earned a fifth-place finish in 2018. Shane Connuck october 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Oct. 2025 Given that several local taxing entities adopted budgets that include collecting additional property tax revenues in 2026, residents are preparing to see their bills increase further. Sofi Zeman october 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025 The Hope Florida Foundation is designed to assist the state program by collecting donations and giving money to those churches and nonprofits. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025 Crime Scene Search and MEDIC were also involved in processing the scene and collecting evidence, according to CMPD's press release. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
  • However, people who are allergic to olives should avoid all products containing olives, including olive oil.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The suspect, who had been living in the town of Starnberg south of the city, had been carrying a backpack containing an explosive device, a Bavaria police statement said earlier.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The wandering world is accumulating enormous amounts of gas and dust from its surrounding space.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In Week 4, Egbuka had four receptions (on 10 targets), accumulating 101 receiving yards and a TD, while Godwin caught three passes (on 10 targets), amassing only 26 yards.
    Jess Bryant, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
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, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Photographer Morris Lum traveled across North America’s Chinatowns, compiling a living archive of migration patterns, diasporic trends and gentrification.
    Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • According to the project team, the successful installation of the Dewar base provides the foundation for assembling the reactor’s core systems.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
  • After assembling the nearly 10-inch towering figure, featuring poseable legs, wings, and head, kids can activate stud shooters under each wing.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some ships of China’s research fleet, including the Xiang Yang Hong class of oceanographic survey ships, are suspected to have links to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy and may conduct seabed mapping or other dual-use intelligence-gathering activities with military value.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Casale and Officer Li sprang into action, gathering the necessary medical supplies from their vehicle to assist with the delivery.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Ares, Nine Inch Nails will be composing the soundtrack, bringing their iconic industrial rock sound to the Grid.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The difference is that composing while in motion may be a particularly useful way to address a crisis in creativity.
    Karen Palmer September 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ja’Marr Chase, even after catching two touchdown passes and amassing 110 yards, couldn’t even celebrate his scores because of the nature of the game.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Sharpe first came to attention of football fans when an interview for the Daily Mail Sports Instagram channel went viral ahead of the European Championship final, amassing over 80 million views in total.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Goldberg-Polin has become a global advocate for the remaining hostages, meeting with world leaders and speaking publicly about her loss.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • After meeting in high school, the pair began dating in 1972 and split four years later.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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