Synonym Chooser

How does the verb congregate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of congregate are assemble, collect, and gather. While all these words mean "to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit," congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

Where would assemble be a reasonable alternative to congregate?

The words assemble and congregate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

When could collect be used to replace congregate?

Although the words collect and congregate have much in common, collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

When can gather be used instead of congregate?

While the synonyms gather and congregate are close in meaning, gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

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 congregate The public was ordered not to congregate and to stay close to bomb shelters. Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 13 June 2025 Police tape wrapped around government vehicles delineating an off-limits zone where dozens of federal agents congregated. Pedro Rios, Mercury News, 16 June 2025 These mail-it-in arbitrators tend to congregate towards the lower-end cases. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 The celebration began in 1991 when members of the LGBTQ+ community wore red and congregated at theme parks. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for congregate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregate
Verb
  • Pam’s family and friends gathered in the courthouse in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside Boulder in April of 2019.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Times pop music critic Mikael Wood and staff writer August Brown gathered to discuss the box set and what to make of its bounty.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Long balls through the middle allow their midfield trio to converge, win possession and reset the attack.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • Florida Panthers players, thousands of jubilant fans and the coveted Stanley Cup converged several times along State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale as the team celebrated its second consecutive Stanley Cup with yet another parade and beach extravaganza.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Already eliminated after collecting 0 points from their first two games, Pachuca could only regain some pride by avoiding defeat against Al Hilal in Nashville.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • The purpose of the road trip is to provide local manufacturers with information on government resources and collect feedback from various industry workers.
    Cooper Gant, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The nomination comes just two days after Trump met with Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir at the White House.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • After learning that Ayden Heaven had met Eintracht Frankfurt officials during the winter transfer window, Wilcox arranged for the teenage Arsenal defender to visit Old Trafford for the Europa League meeting with Rangers on January 23.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Analysts say it is used to develop and assemble centrifuges for uranium enrichment, a key technology that turns uranium into nuclear fuel.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
  • At the head of assembling these dream weekends of music is CEO Sarah Pancheri, who took over that role in 2024.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump yesterday convened a meeting with his national security team.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 18 June 2025
  • While the administration has so far avoided direct military engagement, U.S. officials confirmed that the USS Nimitz carrier strike group has been deployed to the region, and Trump convened his National Security Council to discuss possible options.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Toy Story opened over Thanksgiving and amassed $39 million over the long five-day holiday weekend.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2025
  • The bad news is that political will can be hard to amass.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The Phillies play four at the Miami Marlins before rendezvousing with the Mets on Friday.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • The music was recorded through pure emotional trial and error, rendezvousing his favorite piano composers, including Thelonious Monk, Phillip Glass, and Joni Mitchell.
    Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Congregate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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