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
as in accumulating
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass
dust has been collecting under my bed for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in assembling
to bring together in one body or place
she collects antique silverware
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of collecting
The United States, Jakes argues, concurrently went to war to reassert its dominance in the Gulf and instead handed Iran a platform to start collecting tolls in yuan and cryptocurrency—anything, that is, except dollars.
—
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Compton played against them in each of his two seasons, combining to make 7 of 8 shots while collecting five rebounds and three steals.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Through it all, Smart has dominated, collecting lead comedy actress trophies for each eligible season to date.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Defender Guilherme Biro earned his first assist after collecting one through his first 67 appearances and Facundo Torres grabbed his fourth in his first season with Austin after tallying 16 in three seasons with Orlando City.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
And with that time in mind, collecting information on some of the depth defencemen who will presumably be put into more prominent roles over the final two games could have some value.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Start at the Laguna Art Museum, which is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting pieces that represent the everyday life and history of California.
—Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Ezekiel Alladoh, a 20-year-old rookie forward, subbed into the match in the 66th minute before collecting his first assist.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
The bomb squad has rendered the explosive devices safe and remains on scene collecting evidence.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Compton played against them in each of his two seasons, combining to make 7 of 8 shots while collecting five rebounds and three steals.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Through it all, Smart has dominated, collecting lead comedy actress trophies for each eligible season to date.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026
Defender Guilherme Biro earned his first assist after collecting one through his first 67 appearances and Facundo Torres grabbed his fourth in his first season with Austin after tallying 16 in three seasons with Orlando City.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
And with that time in mind, collecting information on some of the depth defencemen who will presumably be put into more prominent roles over the final two games could have some value.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Start at the Laguna Art Museum, which is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting pieces that represent the everyday life and history of California.
—Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Ezekiel Alladoh, a 20-year-old rookie forward, subbed into the match in the 66th minute before collecting his first assist.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
The bomb squad has rendered the explosive devices safe and remains on scene collecting evidence.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collecting
Verb
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At the time of the incident, the victim was carrying a bag containing the three gold chains and multiple diamond watches valued at a total of $85,000.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The old flag, which depicted the old state seal on a blue field, had been criticized for years for a cluttered, undistinguished design and for containing colonial imagery and depicting racist stereotypes.—
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Coins can also be more convenient to store and transport, while bars are often preferred by investors focused on accumulating larger amounts of gold at a lower cost per ounce.—
Jessica Walrack,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
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The results of the draft lottery will matter enormously, of course, as does finding creative ways to shed some of the club’s exorbitant commitments to depreciating veteran assets while accumulating meaningful futures.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Garner managed in the majors for 15 years, compiling a 985-1,054 record with Milwaukee (1992-99), Detroit (2000-02) and Houston (2004-07).—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
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By compiling a vast database of this material and sharing it through impactful social videos, the project has reached millions, providing vital eyewitness testimonies and interactive resources to document the atrocities faced by the people of Gaza.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If paired with traps like this one, scientists elsewhere could start assembling antihydrogen themselves, and this would be a game-changer.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Demolition and recovery crews on the site spent Friday assembling a large crane and a wrecking ball that will be used during the demolition process.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The federal law sets out rules and procedures for gathering foreign intelligence through electronic surveillance, physical searches, pen registers and more.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Bhosle died on Sunday aged 92 after suffering a heart attack, and huge crowds are gathering ahead of a her funeral, which takes place this evening in Mumbai, India, at Shivaji Park.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Why, Fredriksen has asked, would writers of the mid-second century, composing pseudonymous letters in the voice of a first-century figure, include statements predicting Christ’s imminent return?—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Seeing something on the moon, describing it, and composing a photograph from a very close distance is a different experience from viewing something from afar, or even seeing a close-up captured by a robotic camera.—
Rebecca Boyle,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Current midfielder Rocky Rodriguez has been leading Costa Rica since 2010, amassing more than 110 caps and 58 goals.—
PJ Green
April 11,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
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One of the players in attendance is running back Bijan Robinson, who earned AP first-team All-Pro honors after amassing 2,298 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns during the 2025-26 season.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tariff uncertainty, the Iran conflict, spiking energy costs, and a stock market that has rattled retirement accounts are converging, hitting consumers from multiple directions.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
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Many converging reasons explain why private, nonprofit colleges and universities, too, are now under existential strain.—
Jon Marcus,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Collecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collecting. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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