Definition of gatheringnext
1
2
3

gathering

2 of 3

adjective

gathering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of gather
1
2
as in harvesting
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 accumulating
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 summoning
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers gathered the strength to finish the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 gathering
Noun
According to the Central Marin Police District, the gatherings began on Friday night. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 The boy on the truck stared at the back of the gathering, his aim focused on the captain. — Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
Donica says the clinic is gathering observations from guests, while acknowledging that these are not sufficient to make scientific claims about the program’s effectiveness. — Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026 The ability to speak frankly and with little corporate oversight isn’t the main reason pundits and independents are gathering. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gathering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gathering
Noun
  • This approach allows engineers to consolidate components that traditionally require separate manufacturing and assembly processes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The 450 Urban has a rather unusual face, dominated by an angular headlight assembly and sharp, almost insect-like bodywork.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • This was the teams’ first meeting at T-Mobile Arena since Arizona beat UCLA in the 2023 Pac-12 tournament final for the second year in a row.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Witnesses and text messages introduced during trial placed Désir at meetings where the plot evolved from a plan to capture Moïse to killing him.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The accumulation of unemployment, underemployment, and low wages for Chinese households and workers are already significant, yet Beijing has responded with only modest new household subsidies and incremental investment in social services.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In 2022, for example, a team of researchers in Paris reported that sustained mental effort led to the accumulation of glutamate in the lateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region responsible for cognitive control.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • But this bet will face its most serious test in the brewing Republican presidential primary.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Investigators have been scouring the area for wreckage, collecting dashcam video and speaking to witnesses.
    — Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Investigators on Tuesday were mainly focused on collecting and documenting wreckage, Chapman said.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The volunteers, Israelis and Americans, had come to stand alongside Palestinian farmers harvesting olives with the goal of preventing attacks by Israeli settlers.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Photograph by Faiz Abu Rmeleh / Getty On Friday, a group of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers who were harvesting olives in the West Bank.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Stricter regulatory mandates, the arrival of digital product passports and a mounting waste crisis are converging to force brands and manufacturers to adapt.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Guidance from grief organizations is converging on a single idea.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • There is just enough wry humor—think Shaun of the Dead—sprinkled throughout to keep things from getting too grim, often deriving from Bryan’s cluelessness and general lack of skills.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The Chiefs finished dead last in the NFL with 362 yards deriving from explosive rushes last season.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gathering. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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