1
as in assembly
a body of people come together in one place
the President spoke before the gathering of student leaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in meeting
a coming together of a number of persons for a specified purpose
attended a gathering for descendants of people who came to America on the Mayflower
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in accumulation
a mass or quantity that has piled up or that has been gathered over a period of time
a great gathering of dust under the bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in brewing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in collecting
to bring together in one body or place
he gathered the leftovers from the table and gave them to the dog let's gather the students and have them line up on the playground before going in from recess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in converging
to come together into one body or place
a crowd gathered around the street musician ask the faculty to gather in the lounge for the meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deriving
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
I gather that, since you are back so early, she didn't want to see you?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in gaining
to gradually increase in
the movement gathered force as election day neared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
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Recent Examples of gathering
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
The more serious work — developing the script and gathering material — began about three and a half years ago.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
For me, January is always a time to reflect on my personal style from the previous year, take inventory of my closet and purge anything that’s gathering dust, and, above all, think about ways to make getting dressed feel exciting again during the most dreary time of the year.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gathering
Noun
An ensemble piece in the truest sense, Tyler Taormina's film captures the joys and exhaustions of holiday gatherings via a Long Island family's annual Christmas Eve shindig.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
The more serious work — developing the script and gathering material — began about three and a half years ago.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
Interior designer Nitya Seth, founder of Nityanamya, says today’s homeowners crave warmth and depth—especially in kitchens, which are increasingly used as gathering spaces.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
For me, January is always a time to reflect on my personal style from the previous year, take inventory of my closet and purge anything that’s gathering dust, and, above all, think about ways to make getting dressed feel exciting again during the most dreary time of the year.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gathering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gathering
Noun
-
Plus, there’s no need to call a handyman to set up your new furniture, as assembly is as simple as snapping the metal base onto the seat.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Sucre was once home to several fish processing plants, an auto assembly plant and a large public university, all of which offered well-paying jobs.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This season is all about polish meeting performance, with sculptural silhouettes, cozy textures, and sneakers made for all-day, everyday wear.—
Erica Paige,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The last meeting happened in the NFC championship game in the 2022 season, where the Eagles defeated the Niners 31-7 before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That front could spark a few brief rain or snow showers Sunday afternoon or early evening, mainly north and west of Philadelphia, with little to no accumulation expected.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
That would encourage new peat accumulation and carbon sequestration.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The United States and France first warned more than a decade ago that Russian satellites appeared to be spying and collecting information on their assets, including on commercially run satellites.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Those instruments stayed grounded during Melissa, while other instruments and drones collecting forecast information were deployed.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Each affords particular outlets for decompressing and harvesting the stressors of high-capacity jobs.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Soybean farmers in states like Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana have been harvesting this fall without purchase orders from China, once the largest buyer of American soybeans.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Chase Travel Chase Travel’s 26 Trips to Take in 2026 highlights where booking demand and cultural curiosity are converging, with destinations spanning rugged deserts, coastal hideaways, Arctic wilderness, and global cultural capitals.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Before Patterson could close the distance, the lights broke formation and began converging on his interceptor.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Resolve this by walking your own path (literally) and deriving support from people who are capable of caring about you.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Thomas is charged with human trafficking, while Robertson is charged with human trafficking, transporting a person from out of state into the state for human trafficking, branding in relation to human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, and battery.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Prior to his firing earlier this week, Harbaugh coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons, accumulating a regular season record of 180-113 record with 13 postseason wins under his belt, including Super Bowl XLVII.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Forecast models have trended warmer, suggesting a transition from rain to a rain/snow mix rather than accumulating snow, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gathering. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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