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 During the current Nile Conference, the team has organised watch parties in Nairobi for every game, creating communal spaces for fans to gather, celebrate, and share in the excitement of the team’s historic debut in the continental championship. Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Supporters of Palestine gather at Harvard University to protest against Israel's war in Gaza. Nik Popli, Time, 22 May 2025 The mightiest drivers are gathering at Penacony and fighting for supreme glory! Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 The petition gathered 25,000 signatures, but Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers rejected it, citing insufficient grounds for sanctions. Al Goodman, CNN Money, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gather
Verb
  • Sightings for the study were collected across an area extending from Queensland down to Tasmania and across to New Zealand’s South Island.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • That means spearfishing, collecting fruits of the land, and more.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • At the melipona bee sanctuary, visitors can harvest and taste honey directly from the hives.
    Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • The fruit is planted and harvested by hand, which explains why delivered pineapples arrive without their crowns as they are used to plant new fruits — creating a sustainable growth process.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • At The Donum Estate, Oracle has found not just a physical home, but a spiritual one—a place where Biggers’ layered histories, material choices, and contemplative intentions converge into a singular, powerful experience.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 28 May 2025
  • Allan described the three converging fronts of the perfect storm: AI is creating more code than ever.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • This includes Francoise Bettencourt Meyers of France, an heiress to the L’Oreal fortune who is worth $86 billion, by far the largest fortune to derive from a pure beauty company.
    Jemima McEvoy, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • Naturally derived emulsifiers may not always be better.
    Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • As debt continues to accumulate, the U.S. increasingly faces the risk of default, which clearly impacted Moody’s decision to downgrade the credit rating.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • With shares down more than 34% this year, Tong urged clients to quickly accumulate shares.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The show lost Samantha (under less than amicable circumstances), as well as actress Kim Cattrall, and gained a number of supporting characters of color.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 30 May 2025
  • After her parents went away to serve their time, Savannah gained custody of both Grayson and Chloe.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Taylor watched the game from the dugout until the ninth inning when he was summoned to pinch run and play left field.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Josh Sargent and Yunus Musah, Pulisic’s teammate in Milan, were also left off the 27-man roster summoned to training camp ahead next month’s Gold Cup, although some of those players will be participating in the Club World Cup.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • And — deep breath — assembling rockets at Cape Canaveral.
    Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
  • Currently, the modules are manually assembled in a factory with builder partners.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gather. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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