Definition of gathernext
1
2
as in to harvest
to catch or collect (a crop or natural resource) for human use late summer is when we gather the tomatoes and begin canning them for the winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass the newspapers that had been allowed to gather on the front doorstep told thieves that the family was away on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7
as in to summon
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers gathered the strength to finish the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gather differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gather are assemble, collect, and congregate. While all these words mean "to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit," gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

Where would assemble be a reasonable alternative to gather?

Although the words assemble and gather have much in common, assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

When is collect a more appropriate choice than gather?

The words collect and gather can be used in similar contexts, but collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

When could congregate be used to replace gather?

In some situations, the words congregate and gather are roughly equivalent. However, congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

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 gather Palestinian olive pickers have been attacked at least 259 times since the harvest season began last month, according to figures gathered by the Palestinian Authority’s Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CWRC). Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025 With so much stigma on trying to revive long-dormant shows, some stars and showrunners would rather just gather for a reunion special. Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025 Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025 The film was released a year later and quickly gathered a cult following. Bear McCreary, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gather
Verb
  • The cell, which measured eleven and a half feet by nine feet, contained a cot, a sink, a mirror, and a bucket for waste, which was collected by Hsieh’s friend, who also brought in food daily.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Fort Worth police plan an investigation to collect and review the facts and the circumstances of the case.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Most gardeners grow strawberries in outdoor beds and harvest fresh berries in summer.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
  • People can harvest their own trees, or volunteers can pick fruit, too, if owners are unable to do so themselves.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Alarcón plays a woman who transforms herself, aligning with nature and changing her reality when menopause converges with a world in destruction.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
  • But more than just a topical procedural thriller, the film also plays out like a Kafka novel about endless invasions of privacy and assumptions of malicious intent that converge to form a modern nightmare.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Part of this growing divide between the rich and the average worker can also be traced back to where these households derive their wealth—namely from their exposure to the booming stock market of 2025.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The brand’s very name, derived from a Sanskrit word, encapsulates Ghiya’s internationalism.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Higher elevations from West Virginia through the border of North Carolina and Tennessee can expect accumulating snow.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • If Enceladus doesn’t gain enough energy, its surface activity would slow down or stop, and the ocean could eventually freeze.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • A week after a 27-10 road win at Syracuse, North Carolina turned in a dreadful first half against Stanford (3-7, 2-5 ACC), gaining only 47 total yards on its way to a 3-3 halftime tie.
    Justin Williams, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • His staff kept track of the women and girls, summoning as many as three a day.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • After Itsaragrisil eventually summoned security to escort Bosch out of the auditorium, other pageant hopefuls stood up to follow suit, as seen in the livestream feed.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • It’s being said, over and over and over, that the United States has assembled one of its best-ever speed skating teams.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Hashmi’s team are duly assembled – with cuts showing the team physically fighting their enemies in and around the airport.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gather. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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