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 Start going to some events where people who have similar interests to you congregate, get together and talk about these things. Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 May 2025 These stylish venues that breed luxury and networking, where remote workers and entrepreneurs come to congregate, and where presentation is everything, are the latest aspirational and tangible must-have experience. Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 Attendees from Chicago and afar congregated at ACen to show off their imaginative attire. Chris Cosgrove Published, EW.com, 25 May 2025 Eventually, both cats congregate outside the bedroom door, meowing in what viewers have interpreted as a desperate plea for sanctuary. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for congregate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congregate
Verb
  • Leaders from France, Germany, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, the U.S., and Canada are gathering in Alberta from Sunday through Tuesday.
    Tara Suter, The Hill, 15 June 2025
  • Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores.
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 15 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
  • Beyond a $275 million fine related to collecting personal information for players under the age of 13, the settlement, which was finalized in 2023, included $245 million in customer refunds.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 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
  • Time running out to meet 1.5 degree warming limit Research estimates that the carbon ‘budget’ remaining to avoid passing the critical threshold is less than three years’ worth at current rates.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 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
  • 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
  • Trump yesterday convened a meeting with his national security team.
    Steve Inskeep, NPR, 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
  • But then the video went viral, amassing more than 380,000 views and thousands of comments.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Hera Chris Philpot This European Space Agency mission will rendezvous with the Didymos–Dimorphos asteroid system and study the aftereffects of NASA’s DART impact close up.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 11 June 2025
  • After escaping the imperial freighter, Cassian tries to rendezvous with one of his rebel contacts on a wild way-station planet.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Congregate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congregate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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