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
This week, Blum will speak to members of exhibition as part of a live conversation at Cinema United’s annual Fall Summit gathering in Los Angeles. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026 The gathering had moved to the park after the group was asked to leave an Airbnb in Jones County, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis previously said. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
The national phenomenon saw large groups of teenagers gathering in public spaces late at night, which police said posed safety risks and disrupted local businesses. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026 An early fall nor’easter is gathering strength along the central East Coast, pounding beaches in several states with heavy surf and threatening to bring coastal flooding, wind and rain to parts of the Northeast through the weekend. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gathering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gathering
Noun
  • Julien Puyou, Airbus’ Widebody Program head, stressed that the flight marked the culmination of years of engineering, testing, and assembly.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The battery assembly is the only part of the AirPods 5 that earned major praise from iFixit, but there’s a catch there as well.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In fact, when Sandy sits down the crew for a pre-pickup meeting and urges them to leave their baggage behind, Gen nods knowingly.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Traders are now pricing in a more than 72% chance of another Fed rate hike at its next meeting in October, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The mark is not a single mark at all but an accumulation of marks that coheres into a whole by theatrically—even illusionistically—representing itself as a single brushstroke.
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The artist stepped away from performing last year after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder caused by an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 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
  • South Lyon Police Chief Bonnie Unruh says the two Flock cameras in the city are no longer collecting data.
    — Jordan Burrows, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The musician has been collecting and restoring vintage bikes for decades.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • My friend, however, is harvesting black widow spider eggs and putting the egg sacs in her freezer.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Given Apple's value proposition as the only big name in tech not dependent on harvesting your data, its AI implementation depends on on-device processing.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • These climate-health challenges are converging with broader demographic and social trends.
    — Mitch New, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Wynwood is becoming a place where technology, finance, luxury housing and higher education are converging.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gathering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gathering. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!