collect 1 of 2

Definition of collectnext
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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4
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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

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
Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 241-pound edge, was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection last year after collecting 6 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 tackles for loss in 10 games. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026 There are collected here on Berkshire’s website. Alex Crippen, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Beads of blood collect at the base of two fingers. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026 According to the 2026 Silicon Valley Index report, about 70% of households in the region earning more than $200,000 a year collect investment income — including earnings from stock dividends, bond interest and other returns. Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collect
Verb
  • Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.
    R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Dander, fur, and dust can accumulate quickly, especially in spaces with carpeting or heavy foot traffic, where particles tend to settle and recirculate throughout the day.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
  • As people returned from their Earth Week effort to clear trash accumulated over the winter from Waukegan Municipal Beach on Saturday, two were lugging large rusted pieces of steel.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
  • Low water levels could also affect access and boater capacity at Cherry Creek Reservoir and Barr Lake, according to a round-up compiled by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • In gathering evidence, the commission received videos and testimony from officials and ordinary citizens, and held five public hearings that wrapped up on Tuesday.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Fashion’s biggest night out is almost here, as celebrities from across music, film, TV, sports, and fashion prepare to gather at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the 2026 Met Gala.
    Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Chelsea and City will meet in the FA Cup final after a beast of a hit from Nico Gonzalez (above) saw City through their semi against Southampton on Saturday.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Lawmakers will meet in a special session beginning May 12, so there is still time to correct course.
    Susan Carr, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As prospective farmers struggled to clear forests for rice fields in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Malaya, their efforts might have been accompanied by mystical incantations like this invocation against Iblis, the Devil in Islamic tradition.
    H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Part of the possibly-liberal register of his rhetoric is Karp’s frequent invocation of art (and his references to his liberal upbringing, including his artist mother).
    Simon Denny, Artforum, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • McKenna, working this time without the safety net of direct source material, has composed a shiny soap-bubble satire of a doom-laden cultural and journalistic landscape.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
  • It's composed of a light, breezy material that is extremely breathable—even on a hot, humid day—and creates a gorgeous drapey effect that looks good on everyone.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the process, however, one of the big distinguishing aspects of TV – the large audiences who once assembled to watch dramas, sitcoms and reality shows – has eroded.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The Horned Frogs don’t have a player committed this offseason with that type of notoriety, but head coach Mark Campbell has still been able to assemble one of the top transfer portal classes.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Collect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collect. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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