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

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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

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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

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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
Be careful not to completely block the drainage hole of your planter, which causes stagnant water collect in the bottom. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025 Make your yard less appealing by not letting stagnant water collect. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
Nearly every other seller in Idaho needs a permit to collect sales tax. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 19 July 2025 The microphones recorded audio from dusk to dawn, day after day, week after week, collecting thousands of hours of audio during the frog's winter mating season. Nathan Rott, NPR, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for collect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collect
Verb
  • Her rental car, containing her suitcase and all of her belongings, is towed.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 25 July 2025
  • The fruit contains a high water content and has many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • The Netscape engineer would surf successive technology waves, accumulating equity stakes that India couldn't match.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • The series, adapted from Joo Dong-geun’s acclaimed web comic, delivered massive international success in its freshman season, accumulating over 560 million viewing hours within 28 days of premiere and securing spots in the Top 10 non-English TV rankings across more than 90 countries.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Here's a list of some possible viewing locations compiled by The Arizona Republic, a USA TODAY Network publication.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate.
    Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • And how about we get rid of most of the government enumerators, who gather data for the Census Bureau?
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
  • To find out, McCleery and his colleague Chris Dutton gathered 40 toy rabbits and replaced their stuffing with electrical components that run on solar power.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • The Quilters meet at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2025
  • The superintendent and principal also meet monthly with a student advisory committee, and the student body at each school is routinely surveyed for feedback and input, according to the district.
    Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • Microsoft has integrated a2a support into Azure AI Foundry and enabled a2a agent invocation through Copilot Studio.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • The invocation of an actual legend and martyr of the sport—Senna died in 1994, after a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix—is meant to supply a jolt of gravitas.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • If folks will volunteer, it can be composed of two- or three-member teams of neighbors patrolling, if possible, at the approximate times these crimes are occurring.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2025
  • For a widow who lost her husband, her only brother and her only daughter in just five months, McCrory is remarkably composed.
    Pamela Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • The Fit Bounce Pro II arrives fully assembled, folds up easily for storage, and comes with a detachable handlebar for added stability.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • The New York Times assembled a rail of escape-from-New-York quotes from business leaders.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Collect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collect. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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