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

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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
The Tillman Rally, an annual GOP gathering in Floyd County, attracted scores of Georgia GOP faithful this weekend. Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Last year marked the 20th year of the Arctic Report Card, which is typically announced at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) annual meeting in December, the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists in the world. Daniel Peck, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
After curfew, dormitory fire escapes double as gathering places where workers sing, socialize and call family members. Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026 Candidates are also able to forgo the fee by gathering a certain number of petition signatures. Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gathering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gathering
Noun
  • Not to be cheated in front of the largest assembly of Hall of Famers since the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Schwarber flew out twice to deep center field.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • One example of that efficiency in action is the software module flash station, a first for a Ford assembly plant, which ensures vehicles have the latest software prior to module installation.
    Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But the mood coming out of Monday’s meeting was that a 20-team model will not be taken seriously.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The report will be officially released today at a Community Development and Human Services Committee meeting.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Food safety experts say that the accumulation of outbreaks this summer is striking but that tracking the number of outbreaks — or recalls, for that matter — isn’t the best way to capture the risk from foodborne pathogens.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The measurements showed spin accumulation at the chiral copper surface, supporting the idea that the helical structure was creating spin polarization.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 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
  • Medical providers are collecting larger shares of what patients might owe at a time when rising deductibles mean patients are owing more for care.
    Julie Appleby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • In Bogotá, Red Cross facilities were collecting aid that was being transported with support from the Colombian Aerospace Force.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Agent Mulder, hot on the trail of a group of murderers who are harvesting their victims' organs, breaks into a makeshift laboratory in an attempt to save an abducted woman.
    Brett Tingley, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Allow stems to grow at least 6 inches tall before harvesting again, and avoid removing more than about 30 percent of total plant growth during any one pruning session.
    Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Currently, over 90% of Europe–Asia data and telecommunications traffic flows through Egypt and the subsea cable corridors converging at the Red Sea and Suez Canal region.
    Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The converging trends are creating opportunities and consternation for travelers, content creators, and the travel industry.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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