Definition of gathernext
1
2
as in to harvest
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in to accumulate
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 to summon
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers gathered the strength to finish the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gather differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gather are assemble, collect, and congregate. While all these words mean "to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit," gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

Where would assemble be a reasonable alternative to gather?

Although the words assemble and gather have much in common, assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

When is collect a more appropriate choice than gather?

The words collect and gather can be used in similar contexts, but collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

When could congregate be used to replace gather?

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

congregating under a shelter

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 gather On Thursday, local business leaders gathered at Miami Dade College’s Homestead campus to discuss how apprenticeships can help create jobs in the area. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Crowds gathered to see Céline Dion outside the Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris on Friday. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026 Restaurants have long played a vital role in neighborhoods where people can gather to share stories and experiences. Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Aug. 2026 The laboratory uses an STA-MS system to gather data on the salt. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gather
Verb
  • Allen collected three hits and played terrific defense during a 6-3 win against the Mets.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Morgues in Nepal have been overwhelmed, though authorities are collecting DNA samples in the hopes of notifying relatives.
    Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The berries are harvested throughout much of the year by hand, with workers climbing the tall palm trees to collect the fruit in bunches.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Then the pulp was harvested, washed, and mixed with sorbitol and cellulose.
    Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But detectives were able to create a montage from nearby traffic and surveillance cameras that showed both Sellars and Wathrust converging on the spot — Sellars walking and Walthrust driving — where Wathrust was found shot multiple times in his car.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Fans will converge in downtown Atlanta to experience the convention’s 40th year of celebrating science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film.
    Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Rather than synthetic dyes, General Mills is using colors derived from sources including fruits and vegetables, as well as spices such as turmeric and paprika, to maintain the familiar hues of its cereals.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Traditional album sales accounted for 3,000 units, while a negligible amount of activity derived from track-equivalent sales.
    Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But at some point, continually accumulating more can become an incomplete vision of success.
    True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In Cam Miller’s first start at quarterback against the Giants, the Dolphins’ offense had accumulated 102 yards by game’s end.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Oswego finished seven of its 11 drives by scoring points and gained 483 yards.
    Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Iceland, which gained independence from Denmark in 1944, has a proud history of independence, of not allowing itself to be pushed around by bigger and richer European nations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Roy Clark could show up at Felix and Oscar’s New York apartment in The Odd Couple to demonstrate his virtuoso pickin’ skills and be summoned to Burbank to sub in for Johnny Carson as a guest host of The Tonight Show.
    David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Reliever Jason Foley allowed the Reds to load the bases on three singles, prompting Tingler to summon Ryan Walker.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This does, however, seem to be another case of the Netflix name being able to assemble and pay a big-name cast for relatively lackluster results.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Engineers have assembled a prototype air-cooling rig to test the passive safety systems.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gather. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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