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 In the middle of all the family and friends congregating and supporting Dart in their own way, the Ole Miss crew eventually congregated at that back table and sat together for about an hour from around pick 12 on. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025 Clint’s family eventually congregated at his aunt’s house in Midwest City. Jenni Carlson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025 Polls On Friday, people with relatives inside Richardson Mortuary congregated outside to raise their concerns and seek answers. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 The students on last week’s trip congregated at the resort’s main hotel, The Royal, where guests check in under a tall, domed oculus, and swirling $1 million glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly dangle from the casino ceiling. Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for congregate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregate
Verb
  • Gattuso encouraged the family to humanize Pelkey, and gathered about 50 letters of support, including family, friends, elementary school teachers and military buddies, Wales said.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Townspeople of Genazzano gathered in the square outside the main church housing the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) sanctuary as Leo arrived and greeted them.
    Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Domínguez, playing left field, and Bellinger converged on it.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • The main problems through the seven stages of executive onboarding can be solved by thinking marketing, selling, buying, getting a head start, converging, evolving, and adjusting – in that order.
    George Bradt, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Airlines are collecting billions of dollars annually from seat assignment fees.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • As many as 80% of soil samples collected downwind of the Eaton fire had lead levels above the state health standards for residential properties.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Sutton and Rogers met before her murder and are believed to have slept together.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Trump has encouraged the leaders to meet but downplayed Putin's refusal.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • My daughter's charcoal box was assembled by mixed media artist Nikoli Shaver and included a graphite starter kit, a small pack of media-appropriate paper, an eraser, charcoal pencils, and more.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 17 May 2025
  • But over the past few years, the hip-hop artist has shifted gears and gone on what could only be described as a spending spree, quietly assembling a high-value portfolio—now estimated at nearly $80 million—that stretches from Los Angeles to New York City.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Johnson convened a task force of local real estate professionals and city leaders roughly a year ago to help propel the initiative.
    Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • Business and technology leaders will be convening in Riyadh around Trump's trip for a Saudi-U.S. investment forum.
    Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Even as firefighters were still battling the flames, the pair amassed more than 6,000 signatures, including from the likes of A-listers like LeVar Burton and Alison Brie, in support of their initiative.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 May 2025
  • The service has amassed a library of over 1,800 titles through partnerships with more than 50 content providers, including 11 film institutes and national archives.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • The Shenzhou 20 spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous and dock at the Tiangong space station around 6.5 hours after launch.
    Andrew Jones, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • On February 28, it is set to look even more glamorous, as everyone who’s anyone in French film will rendezvous here to celebrate the César Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars.
    Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Congregate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregate. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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