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

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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 Research-Grade Interviewing Beyond collecting responses, ascertain whether the system uses research-grade interviewing to probe for deeper meaning. Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026 There’s no point collecting the seeds since mums sold at the store are usually hybrids and won’t produce the same plant when grown from seed. Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 Sep. 2026 Moldovan police also said Tuesday that a 49-year-old man, originally from Azerbaijan, had been detained on allegations of collecting information for Russian intelligence services. Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 The Charlotte event was part of the People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement, a national project collecting testimony about the effects of federal immigration operations in cities across the country. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026 Choose one way to explore the idea today rather than collecting more possibilities. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026 First responders were careful not to speculate, saying the National Transportation Safety Board is collecting information about the crash, and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate — a process that takes time. Sara MacHi, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026 Tong allowed four runs in five innings with seven strikeouts, collecting the win on an afternoon the Mets (66-78) erupted offensively. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
  • The task of containing Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak would have been herculean in any circumstance.
    Amesh Adalja, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
  • A little over a year ago, in August 2025, Aarons submitted the brief containing fake testimony and other errors.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Peatlands are wetlands that are proficient in accumulating organic matter, preserving the bounty of life and death in layers of watery peat.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Real Madrid did not have a vintage season, despite him accumulating 42 goals.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Deadline’s film team are adding to this useful central article compiling every entry, and have helpfully explained how new rules are allowing new types of films to compete.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Even Treadwell, who spend thirteen summers in Alaska compiling some 100 hours of bear footage, wasn’t even remotely prepared for his encounters, evidenced by his tragic death at the hands of one of his beloved grizzlies.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Major initiatives often begin by assembling representatives from finance, operations, technology, legal and other functions.
    Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Sellers gear up all year for Cannes assembling packages and then shopping them on the market, then all the Europeans take the summer off.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Hanadi Muhanna and her father are rebuilding the Al Qarara seed bank, gathering indigenous wheat, spinach and barley.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Her son, Paul Keating, told NPR that the family is gathering to celebrate her life.
    Brian Mann, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • His throw to Jordan Allen was the best yet, with a scramble to get away from a horde of defenders, then composing himself and finding Allen in the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain, giving the Jackets first-and-goal.
    AJC.com, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • One of my countless midnights on a two-lane country road, maybe, when the approaching headlights belonged to a drunk driver, or a trucker on the cusp of sleep, or a heartsick teenager composing a text to an ex.
    Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As data centers proliferate across the country, amassing space in both acreage and America’s politics, no projects compare with the one planned for this corner of northwestern Utah.
    Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Tabansi, a tackle, and Wayburn, a guard, were multi-year starters at Buffalo and UConn, respectively, amassing more than 2,200 offensive snaps.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • On why now, Shergill says the timing reflects several factors converging at once rather than a single trigger.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Space technology, autonomy and robotics are converging around AI, sensors, edge compute, power systems and advanced manufacturing.
    John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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