collect 1 of 2

1
as in to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of applicants should collect their thoughts while waiting to be interviewed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass dust has been collecting under my bed for years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to compile
to bring together from several sources into a single volume or list collected the author's early short stories, which were originally published in several obscure sci-fi magazines

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collect

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb collect differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of collect are assemble, congregate, and gather. While all these words mean "to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit," collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

When can assemble be used instead of collect?

The synonyms assemble and collect are sometimes interchangeable, but assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

Where would congregate be a reasonable alternative to collect?

In some situations, the words congregate and collect are roughly equivalent. However, congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

When might gather be a better fit than collect?

Although the words gather and collect have much in common, gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

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 collect
Verb
Human value data can be collected through surveys, and the field of social choice offers useful tools to interpret it for AI alignment. Aidan Kierans, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025 In 2024, Grant collected 32 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
Protecting workers The data neurotechnology collects could be used in ways that help or hurt the worker, and the potential for abuse is significant. Paul Brandt-Rauf, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2025 The technetium-99m flows into a person’s blood and collects, briefly, in parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, or a cancerous tumor. Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for collect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collect
Verb
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The defender never accumulated more than five sacks in a season at Georgia and often struggled to get around quality offensive tackles.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The rookies this season accumulated 0.054 win shares per 48 minutes—the ninth lowest of the past 40 seasons, but still significantly above recent seasons such as 2014, 2015 and 2017, as well as the infamously unproductive 2001 cohort.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Their American Values Atlas compiled data from more than 22,000 interviews conducted in 2024 enabling them to look at individual state attitudes with confidence.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In a 10-game stretch from Feb. 24 through March 15, Washington compiled a 6-4 record, including road wins in Detroit and Denver, and showed glimpses of coach Brian Keefe’s vision for the team.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There is also a section for anonymous surveys … that gather a variety of opinions from scouts after each position evaluation to help the group better understand its consensus or disagreements.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Two Saturdays ago, citizens and immigrants across the country gathered and marched — including tens of thousands in downtown Chicago and the suburbs.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In February 2024, Francis met with the trustees of the University of Notre Dame, a Catholic institution in Indiana.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The Hall of Fame voting panel will meet May 20 in Charlotte and determine the Class of 2026.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Every single one of these inane points is something federal judges might have gotten an opportunity to weigh in on had the president publicly announced an invocation of the act, as Sotomayor notes Congress requires.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Boasberg scheduled another hearing in the case for April 8 to further discuss the government's argument on its invocation of the privilege.
    Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At the microscopic level, fluids are composed of particles—little billiard balls bopping around and occasionally colliding—and Newton’s laws of motion work well to describe their trajectories.
    Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 14 Apr. 2025
  • New Shepard is composed of both a rocket and a crew capsule, which is outfitted with large windows for its passengers to gaze out of during the roughly 11-minute spaceflight.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The basic act of assembling and protesting the government’s actions is unquestionably protected, according to the First Amendment Coalition, a California nonprofit that’s committed to protecting freedom of speech.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Amazon will assemble that big constellation over more than 80 launches, the majority of them performed by the Atlas V and its successor, ULA's new Vulcan Centaur.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collect. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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