collective 1 of 2

adjective

kə-ˈlek-tiv How to pronounce collective (audio)
Definition of collectivenext
as in collaborative
used or done by a number of people as a group the cleanup of the neighborhood park was a collective effort for which many people should be thanked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

collective

2 of 2

noun

as in group

Related Words

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 collective
Adjective
The monoculture is, or was, a collective frame of reference, a set of mass-cultural touchstones that everyone could assume everyone else knew about. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Speaking for myself and the collective reaction in the Lit Hub Slack, this was shocking. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
Both coaches worked with a collective to identify and solve problems on the fly. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 As for the sextile aspect, this allows room for our personal instincts to merge with the change occurring in the collective. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collective
  1. collaborative
  2. group
  3. joint
  4. combined
  5. communal
  6. mutual
  7. shared
Adjective
  • Golden Goose is evolving into a platform where product shifts into experiences, and stores become collaborative spaces for self-expression.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The project will be collaborative, not just within the nine museums, but amongst Cameroonian communities.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of collaborative
Noun
  • The letter is spearheaded by Guardrails Action, the nonprofit affiliated with Guardrails Alliance, the super PAC launched in June as a counterweight to pro-AI election groups.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The service The service at Sala is seamless and friendly, and from arrival, the front desk staff feels more like a group of friends than a removed set of hotel employees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of group
Adjective
  • However, that proposal was shelved after securing consensus among Group of Seven nations to coordinate a joint strategic petroleum reserve release.
    — , CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Megelin Red Light Heating Glove Red light therapy, in context of the hands, has been linked to decreases in joint swelling, improved circulation, and the alleviation of arthritic discomfort.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of joint
Adjective
  • The combined engineering of spatial, acoustic and visual experiences is, perhaps, still not fully appreciated.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • For decades, Wiener shaped the Austrian art scene with her combined textile, photography, painting, and collage works, as well as through notable collaborations with the likes of Valie Export and Dieter Roth.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of combined
Adjective
  • That this doesn’t play like jokey stunt casting speaks to the spirit of communal, all-hands-on-deck engagement.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There is a sweet communal thing on The Office that doesn’t get very ugly.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of communal
Adjective
  • In 2017, the two were both guests at their mutual friend’s black-tie 21st birthday party in New York City.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Put your energy where connection feels mutual rather than merely expected.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of mutual
Adjective
  • In the 21st century, presidents and lawmakers would be wise to adopt the same strategy—not fearing AI, but creating a governance system that allows this technology to realize its potential as a source of hope and shared progress.
    — William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Shared spacecraft infrastructure Space Factories combines reusable, free-flying CarryAll spacecraft with standardized containers and shared services.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of shared

Browse Nearby Words

collections
collective
collectively
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Cite this Entry

“Collective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collective. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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