Synonyms of collect

collect 1 of 2

verb

kə-ˈlekt 

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

• contain
• compose
• calm
• restrain
• control
• re-collect
• settle
• recover
• hold back
• rally
• still
• soothe
• lull
• quiet
• tranquillize
• tranquilize

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

• accumulate
• gather
• amass
• concentrate
• pile (up)
• build up
• conglomerate
• stack (up)
• accrete
• mass
• drift
• lump
• ridge
• clump
• agglutinate
• bank

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• dissipate
• scatter

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compile
• gather
• anthologize
• assemble
• edit
• revise
• accumulate
• amass
• collate
• rework
• group
• redraft
• revamp
• redact
• reedit
• recompile

4

as in to gather

to bring together in one body or place

she collects antique silverware

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gather
• assemble
• amass
• accumulate
• garner
• corral
• combine
• group
• join
• pack
• concentrate
• congregate
• lump
• get together
• round up
• bulk (up)
• organize
• pick up
• constellate
• arrange
• unite
• pile
• stack
• raise
• muster
• ball
• compile
• bunch
• batch
• connect
• merge
• collate
• rally
• heap
• flock
• cluster
• herd
• systematize
• huddle
• link
• swarm
• band
• regroup
• pool
• archive
• hive
• press
• throng
• re-collect
• brigade
• scrape (up or together)
• regather

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• scatter
• dispel
• dissipate
• send
• separate
• dissolve
• split (up)
• sever
• break up
• dismiss
• disintegrate
• disband

5

as in to meet

to come together into one body or place

a crowd collected at the beach as the sun slowly set over the horizon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gather
• meet
• converge
• assemble
• rendezvous
• convene
• congregate
• join
• get together
• concentrate
• merge
• conglomerate
• cluster
• cooperate
• consolidate
• foregather
• collaborate
• forgather
• concenter
• couple
• unite
• affiliate
• club
• confederate
• associate
• reassemble
• band (together)
• federate
• ally
• reconvene
• consort
• gang up
• conjoin
• caucus
• regather
• remeet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• split (up)
• leave
• disband
• break up
• depart
• take off
• dissociate
• disunite
• disjoin

collect

2 of 2

noun

as in invocation

Related Words

• invocation
• thanksgiving
• grace
• prayer
• litany
• soliciting
• request
• begging
• requiescat
• petition
• orison
• appeal
• pleading
• vespers
• suit
• imploring
• matins
• entreaty
• supplication
• beseeching
• evensong

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

Recent Examples of collect

Verb

Scientists monitoring a river collect data and then have a choice about whether to act on their findings. —Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025

The larvae that Bruning and Idalski collect are then sent for genetic sequencing. —Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Noun

The flash lights up the name plaque, the fresh lichen the ship has collected since being towed to Scottish waters. —Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025

Guard members have also been tasked with beautification efforts, like collecting trash, spreading mulch and painting fences. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025