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 The Philadelphia Eagles drafted ninth, 10th, 13th, 21st, 22nd and 30th, collecting stalwarts such as nose tackle Jalen Carter, receiver DaVonta Smith and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and defensive starters Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith. Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Bringing the exhibition — and collecting habits — into the present are works by artists who are defining current trends in photography. Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026 No charges have been filed as police continue collecting evidence. Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 Critics say the system could unfairly push home sellers to make deals with buyers represented by other Compass agents, resulting in the brokerage collecting commission from both sides of the transaction. Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026 Carroll told reporters that police believe the suspect fired at Secret Service agents, but that investigators were collecting shell casings and waiting on ballistics evidence to confirm. David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026 Hoehne Fire Protection District Branson Community Church is collecting donations of water and Gatorade for the firefighters. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026 Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 241-pound edge, was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection last year after collecting 6 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 tackles for loss in 10 games. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026 Greg began creating and submitting comic strip ideas to syndicates, collecting an impressive pile of rejection slips. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
  • Leaving Italy for Paris, Jarmusch said the Italian equivalent of TSA had asked him what was in the box containing his Golden Lion.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Ceasar Mitchell, an attorney representing KMT, told the DAFC board that Council member Linda Pritchett, who represents the district containing the Project Mapco site, wrote a letter in support of the tax break.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The case was dismissed after Sinbad failed to meet the court’s repayment plan requirements, allowing his tax debts to continue accumulating.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • Use a drain catcher to stop hair and debris from accumulating.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Importantly, during the pandemic, he was involved in compiling information from grant recipients and members of the expert community regarding the origins and nature of COVID-19.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The 15-member panel of experts in diplomacy, defense and economy will review security and defense policies in light of possible emergency scenarios, and also look at the defense budget and funding before compiling their recommendations for changes in the coming months.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Double-A manager Chad Epperson will take over as interim third base coach and WooSox hitting coach Collin Hetzler has been elevated to the big league staff, but beyond that Breslow said more additions will be made and that Tracy will have a voice in assembling his new staff.
    Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Closing these gaps often requires assembling small and fragmented parcels over time.
    Susan Carr, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Restore Our Roads is now gathering signatures for Initiative 175, which would cement the road-spending requirement into the state’s constitution.
    Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The denim style—defined by its super wide leg and high waist—has been sitting forgotten in the back of the closet, gathering dust the past few seasons.
    Ángela Belda, Glamour, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The songs are by composing legend Mike Stoller, now 93, and a master tunesmith during the era in which much of the story spans.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The track has been newly mixed and mastered and features Prince producing, arranging, composing and performing all instrumentation.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Leung has been a fixture of Chinese-language cinema for more than four decades, amassing upward of 100 screen credits and working with some of the most distinguished directors in world cinema, among them Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, John Woo, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Tran Anh Hung and Ildikó Enyedi.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Fred Tibbetts coached high school girls’ basketball for almost three decades, amassing more than 500 wins, including a 111-game winning streak and seven undefeated championship seasons.
    Annie Costabile, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • More than 50 countries, including oil producers and major consumers, are converging in Colombia for a fossil-fuel exit conference.
    Fabiano Maisonnave, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Central Richmond gangs tend to congregate around Richmond’s Iron Triangle, an area near Carlson Boulevard that gets its name because of converging railroad tracks that form a triangular shape.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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