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
North Beacon Oyster North Beacon Oyster has quickly become one of Rockland’s favorite gathering spots thanks to its creative cocktails and cozy atmosphere, says Christie. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026 What Southern hospitality, food traditions, and family gatherings mean to her today. Sid Evans, Southern Living, 21 July 2026
Verb
Authorities said Cole Allen tried to force his way through a security checkpoint and fired a shotgun outside the ballroom where Trump and members of his Cabinet were gathering. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 July 2026 So that’s one of the main drivers for really gathering a strong evidence base. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gathering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gathering
Noun
  • Engineers must align all parts to millimeter-level tolerances during pre-assembly so the components fit accurately once placed in the reactor cavity.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
  • The wrist is a complex assembly of eight bones, three principal joints, ligaments and tendons, with scant muscle around them.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Public areas—including the lobby, restaurants, and meeting spaces—are all wheelchair accessible.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • McDonald and others now want the DAR’s national leadership to call a special meeting in October for members to once again consider limits on the organization’s definition of a woman.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Noun
  • Examination of the wreckage showed the deicing systems on the less than 5-year-old plane worked and ice accumulation did not cause the crash, according to the NTSB’s report.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • The facility’s long-term plan prevents environmental accumulation in the far north.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 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
  • French biotech company bioMérieux tracks trends in gastrointestinal pathogens by collecting test results from a network of laboratories.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Cyanotype workshops begin with collecting local plants and flowers, then using sunlight to create blue-toned prints.
    Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Examples include the restoration of johads (traditional water-harvesting structures) in Rajasthan, watershed-management projects in Hiware Bazar village in Maharashtra, and conservation activities in the Chilika Lake ecosystem of Odisha.
    Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • Amid the garden beds, Cal Expo staff were busy harvesting vegetables and melons, loading them into the back of a white pickup truck.
    Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Elias is one of many e-commerce founders converging for the 7 Figure Seller Summit, a free online event running through Thursday, starting at 10 am EST each day.
    Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • All three brands are converging on the Matter interoperability standard, which is quietly collapsing what used to be the industry’s biggest selling point.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Adoring the outcome means deriving joy from seeing the success of others.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
  • But deriving a unified theory of volcanism will require a geologic Manhattan Project.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gathering. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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