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

4
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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 agreement bucks the utility’s typical process of building, operating and sometimes improving power plants and other infrastructure, such as transmission lines, and then collecting that money from customers in their monthly electricity bills. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The sensors work by collecting large amounts of temperature data in real time. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026 Ream and other home-distilling advocates contend that collecting those taxes does not give Congress the authority to prohibit the hobby altogether. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The West Ada School District is collecting feedback on the possibility of closing a Boise elementary school facing declining enrollment and facilities needs. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 22 Sep. 2026 What remains of the chorus of accusations is now collecting dust at Combs’ feet, as the public appears ready to move on. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Residents organized the recall through the city’s referendum process, collecting more than 1,200 signatures over two rounds of petition drives. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 Youngsters can also follow the Trick-or Treat Trail, collecting candy from festival characters throughout the event. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Sep. 2026 Inside the 300,000-square-foot building are more than 1,300 works on view at opening, drawn from the museum’s permanent collection — built largely from Lucas’ decades of collecting — as well as loans from other institutions and private collections. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
  • Staff at the meat department washed a trap containing raw chicken juice and skipped the sanitizing step.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Simon Peter Carman was arrested in June after the 17-year-old girl was reported missing in Pattaya City, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) southeast of Bangkok, and a suitcase containing her body was found shortly after.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The alternation of the two types of sediments suggests that debris from the broken walls was sliding down while pyroclastic material was still accumulating.
    — Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
  • There is a difference between collecting with intention and accumulating for access.
    — Anna Vladimirova, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Times examined the county’s restraining order process, compiling data from hundreds of thousands of cases, and interviewing dozens of domestic abuse and harassment victims, attorneys and victim service providers.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • To remember their sacrifice, the Daily News is compiling a roll of remembrance for those who died of 9/11 illnesses.
    — New York Daily News, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The second pillar allows the main shipyards to focus on assembling submarines, installing equipment and carrying out final tests.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • While the second batch of tortillas is in the oven, start assembling the tacos.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In a news conference following the Fed's announcement, Chair Kevin Warsh emphasized that the economy has shown signs of gathering speed since the central bank decided to keep rates unchanged in late July.
    — DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • On Wednesday, the NTSB and the FAA were at the accident site, gathering factual data.
    — Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • De Vlieger continued his work as Thys through collaborations with Amon Tobin, composing for film, contemporary dance and fashion and writing for instrumental ensembles and electronic music projects.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Countless hours since last December were spent writing scripts, doing voices, writing and composing pieces of original music, editing, and, of course, animating.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The sophomore slot receiver from Austin came into the game fresh off the second 100-yard outing of his college career and now has three in his past five games after amassing 164 on Saturday.
    — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The video quickly went viral, amassing more than 1 million views and thousands of comments from viewers fascinated by her unconventional childhood.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As Dart dropped back to pass during the opening drive of Monday’s game, he was hit in the backfield by two converging Rams pass rushers.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • On why now, Shergill says the timing reflects several factors converging at once rather than a single trigger.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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